Alabama Power, Mercedes Benz get green light on 80-MW solar project

• Alabama Power and Mercedes Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) obtained authorization today from the Alabama Public Service Commission for the recommended 80-MW Letohatchee Solar Project in Lowndes County, south of Montgomery.

This project and the renewable agreement in between Alabama Power and MBUSI build on an enduring collaboration between both firms and align with the shared vision of boosting using renewable resource.

Under the 15-year contract, MBUSI will obtain all the renewable energy credits (RECs) from the facility, which will cover a considerable portion of the electric requirements for its Vance and Bibb County campuses. Alabama Power will certainly get the whole electrical output from the project pursuant to a 15-year power acquisition agreement.

The Letohatchee Solar Project is expected to produce about 300 building and construction jobs while producing greater than $9 million in tax earnings for Lowndes County over the life of the project. Commercial operation is anticipated to begin in March 2024.

" At Alabama Power, we're committed to offering cutting-edge power solutions for our customers and sustaining development of Alabama areas," claimed Alabama Power President and CEO Mark Crosswhite. "This agreement builds on our partnership with Mercedes and will assist us deliver long-term value to our consumers while raising emissions-free resources."

Mercedes-Benz Cars first revealed its all natural technique to climate security under the sustainable mobility strategy known as "Ambition 2039"-- setting objectives that cover all stages of the auto value chain-- from technical growth, to the removal of raw materials, to production, service life and recycling.

" MBUSI's commitment to the Letohatchee Solar Project is an essential action in recognizing this approach for their Vance and Bibb universities' electric supply," claimed Michael Goebel, president and chief executive officer, MBUSI. "As we increase battery manufacturing and electric car manufacturing in Alabama in 2022, MBUSI is viewed as a crucial area for the Mercedes-Benz shift towards an emissions-free and software-driven future."

The Letohatchee Solar Project builds on the development of utility-scale solar energy in Alabama under the Renewable Generation Certificate program authorized by the PSC and reauthorized this year.