STUTTGART, Ark., May 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Local leaders
joined executives from NextEra Energy Resources (NYSE: NEE) and Entergy Arkansas (NYSE: ETR) this morning to break ground on
Arkansas' largest universal solar energy project – the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center.
"We are pleased to work with our partners at Entergy to bring low-cost, renewable energy to their customers and introduce the
first universal solar project of this scale in Arkansas," said Armando
Pimentel, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. "This project will bring good jobs, tax benefits and affordable,
renewable energy to the state for decades to come."
The Stuttgart Solar Energy Center will span 475 acres, approximately seven miles southeast of Stuttgart, AR. Construction will last approximately nine months. Once complete, the facility will feature
more than 350,000 photovoltaic solar panels that convert the sun's energy into electricity. The solar energy center will have a
capacity to generate 81 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power more than 13,000 homes. An affiliate of NextEra Energy
Resources is developing the project and will build, own and operate it. The energy will serve Entergy Arkansas customers under a
20-year power purchase agreement.
"This project allows Entergy Arkansas to diversify our power generation in the state and provide our customers with access to
emissions-free, renewable energy at a good price," said Rick Riley, president and CEO of Entergy
Arkansas. "In NextEra Energy Resources we have an experienced partner to build and operate a project that will deliver tremendous
value to our customers."
The project will create a significant economic boost for Arkansas County, creating up to 250
jobs during the construction phase. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction - a wide variety of local
businesses will benefit from the influx of economic activity.
"This project will provide good jobs, and Arkansas County businesses will benefit from the
extra activity, too," said Bethany Hildebrand, executive director and CEO of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. "We are thrilled to host the state's largest solar facility and help realize
the benefits it can bring to our community."
Over its operational life, the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center is expected to generate nearly $8
million in additional revenue for Arkansas County, with much of that funding going to
help Arkansas County Public Schools.
"I know our county and school district will look at all of the opportunities these funds will provide," said Arkansas County
Judge Eddie Best. "The funds will be a big boost to many of the school district and county's
future projects and we couldn't be happier to welcome this facility to our community."
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy Resources"), is a clean energy leader
and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 19,990 megawatts of generating
capacity, which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP),
primarily in 29 states and Canada as of year-end 2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together with
its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. The business operates clean,
emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy nuclear fleet, which is
one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of
Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit
www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 700,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of
Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail
distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating
capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately
$11.5 billion and more than 13,000 employees.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entergy-nextera-energy-resources-break-ground-on-arkansas-largest-universal-solar-energy-project-300454234.html
SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources