City gets update on solar project
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| Jason Bak, chief executive of Solar Alliance and Nuyen Enterprise Hosting, updates the Murphysboro City Council last Tuesday on his project to build a solar array on the grounds of the former Curwood packaging plant. (Curtis Winston photo) |
| By Curtis Winston• 01.21.2020 |
A project to turn an eyesore of a old factory into a gleaming high-tech solar-powered data center is moving closer to reality, officers from Solar Alliance told the Murphysboro City Council last Tuesday.
Jason Bak, the chief executive of Solar Alliance, said his company has started a spin-off called Nuyen Enterprise Hosting and is working to finalize $30 million in financing to turn the former Curwood packaging plant into a solar-powered data center.
Plans are to have that solar-powered data center crunch numbers for the Nuyen cryptocurrency and generate profits for the company.
"We would like to start immediately," Bak said, however the financing process is taking longer than he expected. He told aldermen that he hoped for a groundbreaking in the second quarter of this year. "It is highly unlikely financing will not be obtained," he said.
Bak said that the data-center business is extremely profitable, and that Illinois is embracing renewable energy and high-tech jobs. He pointed to Rivian, the electric-truck manufacturer that recently took over the former Diamond Star Motors plant in Normal.
Intially, the planned solar array would supply around 3 megawatts to the facility, providing around 30 percent of the data center's power needs, Bak said. The rest would come from Ameren, but the solar contribution would grow over time.
To underline Nuyen's commitment to the project, Bak introduced Sean Stofer, an engineer who will serve as chief operations officer in Murphysboro.
Announced in 2018, Solar Alliance's Murphysboro project has celebrity backing from actor William Shatner, who serves as commercial spokesman. The name of the Solar Alliance spin-off, Nuyen Enterprise Hosting, refers in part to Shatner's famous role as James T. Kirk, captain of the starship U.S.S. Enterprise in the "Star Trek" television series and films.
TORONTO and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Alliance Energy Inc. (‘Solar Alliance’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: SOLR, OTC: SAENF) announces that CEO Michael Clark has been appointed Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Jason Bak has resigned as Chairman in order to pursue other opportunities and the Company wishes him well in his future endeavours.
“As a Founder & former CEO of this Company it has been my honour to work alongside a great team that has helped improve this world for the better,” said Mr. Bak. “We have developed over $1 billion of renewable assets that are currently operational and helped accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy. From founding the Company in 2003, listing it in 2007 and leading the development of over 360MW of renewable assets, now is the right time to move on and focus on other opportunities. The appointment of Mr. Clark as Chairman is part of a strategic succession process that I fully support. As a shareholder and supporter of Solar Alliance I look forward to seeing great things from this Company in 2021 and the coming years.”
“I am proud to be appointed Chairman of Solar Alliance as we move into a new year filled with exciting possibilities,” said CEO Myke Clark. “I would like to thank Mr. Bak for his dedication to Solar Alliance and his continued support of our goals. The progress this Company made under his direction as a Founder, CEO and Chairman helped set the stage for the growth and opportunities we now see in front of us. Solar Alliance is well positioned to take advantage of the incredible growth we are seeing in the solar industry and I look forward to a prosperous 2021.”
Anton Shihoff, Ken Stadlin and Bob Miller remain as members of the board of directors alongside Mr. Clark.
Myke Clark, CEO