JULY 14, 2015, WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNS) – The Department of the Navy (DON) announced today a signed real estate outgrant with Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, to develop a large-scale, solar generation farm at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay.
The 42 megawatt (MW) direct current (DC) facility will be constructed on SUBASE Kings Bay located in St. Marys, Ga. The signing of this document marks the start of a new collaboration between the DON and Georgia Power to develop renewable energy that will increase DON’s energy security and diversify Georgia Power’s energy portfolio.
The outgrant gives Georgia Power access to 258 acres of land for the development of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels. The project is scheduled to have a nameplate capacity of 42 MW DC, or 30 MW of alternating current. The power generated by the solar farm will be routed to Georgia Power’s transmission lines, to benefit their customers.
“We are very proud to work with incorporating renewable energy to this part of southeastern Georgia,” said Captain James Jenks, SUBASE Kings Bay commanding officer. “This project will contribute to the Navy’s energy portfolio and will also reduce demand for fossil fuel.”
The DON is actively pursuing opportunities to collaborate with energy service providers like Georgia Power to develop cost-effective, renewable energy to increase the DON’s energy security, operational capability and provide valuable benefits to the local community. The new project will help to diversify Georgia Power’s portfolio by adding a new source of generation that will also create local economic development associated with the construction and long-term maintenance of the facility. By developing the farm on-base, the DON can physically secure it behind DON fence lines and will benefit from having a new power source so close to the base. The solar project at SUBASE Kings Bay is estimated to represent a $75 million investment at the installation.
“Our innovative solar partnerships with the state’s military bases, including SUBASE Kings Bay, are growing Georgia solar, strengthening Georgia military bases, and stimulating investment in Georgia communities,” said Norrie McKenzie, vice president of Renewable Development for Georgia Power. “Our latest project with the DON will add even more cost-effective solar energy to our state and further execute on our strategy of identifying opportunities for renewable growth to benefit our customers and partners.”
Georgia Power expects to break ground on the project late summer with the facility coming online by the end of 2016.
Kings Bay became a Naval base in 1978, previously operating as an Army facility. It encompasses approximately 17,000 acres of land, and its principal function is to manage and maintain Ohio-class submarines and ballistic missiles.
For more information about DON’s renewable energy development efforts visit: http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy/repo/.
For information about Georgia Power’s solar initiatives, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.