ATLANTA, May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Power, a leading U.S. wholesale
energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, today announced
the expansion of its 29th solar project — Millers Branch Solar
Facility. The Phase II expansion represents an additional
180-megawatts (MW) from the current Phase I 200 MW facility that is
nearing the start of construction. The project has the potential to
expand up to a total of approximately 500 MWs.
"We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Millers Branch
Solar Facility," said Southern Power President Robin Boren. "This 180 MW renewable energy
expansion represents a clean, innovative solution to help a diverse
group of customers achieve meaningful progress on their own
sustainability objectives. It's one more example of how Southern
Power is building the future of energy and meeting the evolving
needs of our customers and communities."
The project, located in Haskell
County, Texas, contributes to the company's growing
renewable fleet of clean generating assets from California to Maine. Southern Power will lead the continued
development and construction of both phases of Millers Branch.
Phase II is expected to achieve commercial operation in the second
quarter of 2026.
Cisco, Juniper Networks, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Cadence,
Bio-Rad, PTC and a large healthcare company, with support from
Sustainability Roundtable Inc., and together as members of the Net
Zero Consortium for Buyers, each signed power purchase agreements
with Southern Power for all the environmental attributes, such as
renewable energy credits (RECs), produced by the 180 MW Phase II
portion of the Millers Branch Solar Facility.
With the addition of Millers Branch Phase II, Southern Power's
solar portfolio consists of more than 2,920 MW of solar generation
currently operating or under construction. Southern Power's solar
facilities are a part of the company's 5,450 MW renewable fleet,
which consists of 30 solar and 15 wind facilities currently
operating or under construction.
This project aligns with Southern Power's overall business
strategy of strengthening its wholesale business by acquiring and
developing generating assets that are covered by long-term
contracts with counterparties with strong credit support.
About Southern Power
Southern Power, a
subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S.
wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of
municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and
other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries, some
of which are owned in part with various partners, own or operate 55
facilities operating or under development in 15 states with more
than 13,000 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West
Virginia and Wyoming.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the
Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing
clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service
is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in
three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a
competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy
distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics
network and telecommunications services. Through an
industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and
sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and
communities' needs while advancing our goal of net zero greenhouse
gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the
needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are
the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into
economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our
corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company
national awards and recognition from numerous organizations,
including Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black
Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To
learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is
forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans
that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information
includes, among other things, statements concerning the
construction and subsequent operation of the Millers Branch Solar
Facility, including the expected commercial operation date for the
Phase II expansion and potential further expansion opportunities.
Southern Company and Southern Power caution that there are certain
factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is
cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking
information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is
subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of
which are outside the control of Southern Company and Southern
Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested
results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to
those discussed in each of Southern Company's and Southern Power's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent securities
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from
management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost and
schedule overruns during the development, construction and
operation of facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with
the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any
environmental performance standards and the requirements of any tax
credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the
Southern Company system upon completion of construction;
performance of counterparties under ongoing renewable energy
partnerships and development agreements; potential business
strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or
businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial
to Southern Company or Southern Power; and catastrophic events such
as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes
and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political
unrest, wars, or other similar occurrences. Southern Company and
Southern Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any
forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Southern Power