WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Winchester energy supplier is leaning extra towards the solar because it seeks to increase its attain with plans to increase its renewable vitality choices.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative of Winchester owns and operates a number of energy vegetation, offering energy for 16 electrical cooperatives in central and japanese Kentucky.
“Our purpose each day is reliability, to keep up energy 24 hours a day, seven days every week, 12 months a 12 months,” mentioned Nick Comer, supervisor of exterior affairs for EKPC.
Organization leaders say they need to cut back carbon depth for the facility they at present present in 89 counties within the state.
“When we burn coal or burn pure fuel, it releases carbon dioxide into the surroundings,” Comer mentioned. “And as now we have all realized about international warming and the greenhouse impact, that can have an effect on our local weather.”
Comer mentioned that EKPC has seen success in solar energy with the primary cooperative photo voltaic farm that has been energetic since 2017. He famous that it is a huge motive that the corporate now has plans to construct two extra photo voltaic farms- one in japanese Fayette County and the opposite in Marion County.
“Ultimately, we’re in search of inexpensive vitality for our members,” he mentioned. “It’s cost-competitive for companies there. So, it is a huge funding, but it surely brings loads of worth for our cooperative members.
The two photo voltaic farms collectively will present 136 megawatts of renewable, carbon-free electrical energy. EKPC mentioned that’s sufficient vitality for 15,500 households. Comer additionally mentioned the photo voltaic farms will assist them meet the laws they face.
“The different day, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency proposed or finalized guidelines to manage greenhouse fuel emissions from our energy vegetation.”
Comer mentioned it is a $335 million challenge, and it will not occur in a single day. The Kentucky Public Service Commission nonetheless has to evaluate the challenge software and take public feedback. If authorized, he mentioned building would doubtless start in 2025, with completion in 2027.
