Salt River Project broke ground on the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center, a 161 MW wind project, now under construction in Coconino County, north of Flagstaff. This facility is scheduled to begin delivering renewable wind energy to SRP customers by early 2024.
"SRP is proud of the diversity of our resource mix, especially among our growing portfolio of zero-carbon, clean energy resources," said Grant Smedley, Director of Resource Planning at SRP. "Utility-scale wind power at Babbitt Ranch Energy Center will complement solar resources by providing energy during evening and nighttime hours when solar energy is not available."
The 50-turbine project will produce enough energy to power nearly 40,000 average-size homes. The project was proposed by NextEra Energy Resources, and a unit of NextEra will build, own and operate the project.
Construction will provide an economic boost to Coconino County and the state, creating up to 250 construction jobs, and stimulating the purchase of regional goods and services from local vendors.
Over the life of the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center, it is expected to generate nearly $9.5 million in additional tax revenue to the Coconino County area.
SRP receives all energy output from the 127-MW Dry Lake Wind Power Project, which was SRP’s first large-scale wind power facility built in the state. In addition to receiving clean energy from wind, SRP will install 2,025 MW of solar by 2025, which is enough to power more than 450,000 average-size homes.
