Renewable Energy Project announced by New Mexico Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons

The New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Patrick Lyons signed an agreement today that will pave the way for renewable energy development throughout the South-Central United States.

The flow of electricity currently regulated by three regional electric transmission entities (Western Electricity Coordinating Council, Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Southwest Power Pool) would merge into the Tres Amigas Superstation (TASS) and be located on state trust land in Curry County. The project will become the largest power convertor in the world creating a central trading hub for electricity in
the United States.

“One of the biggest constraints on wind and solar power growth is the reduced capacity of the transmission grid to deliver energy to customers,” Lyons said. “This new transmission infrastructure will allow half of the United States to access vast wind and solar energy resources.”

Tres Amigas signed a two-year option on state land. The option agreement will give Tres Amigas, LLC two years to evaluate the suitability of 14,401 acres of trust land located northeast of Clovis relative to their project planning. Over the two year period, Tres Amigas will conduct environmental analyses. Geology and soil surveys, and archaeological surveys, study impact on wildlife habitat and pursue purchase and sales agreements, and interconnect agreements with various utilities in several states.

The project has the potential to bring over $1 billion in capital investment to Curry County. The project is expected to begin construction in late 2010 or early 2011 and will take 24 months to complete. Initially the project will create 200 construction jobs and 50 permanent high wage jobs. Additionally, the project will create the much needed transmission capacity to accommodate future renewable energy projects.

“We are very excited to have this dynamic project located in Curry County. Kudos to Commissioner Lyons for his dedication and support of economic development.” stated Chase Gentry, Director of Clovis Industrial Development Corporation. The project is expected to spur many new renewable energy projects in the region and will be a valuable economic development asset for Clovis and Curry County as we work to recruit renewable energy companies.

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