Santee Cooper contracts for solar power with Ecoplexus

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (June 23, 2021) – Santee Cooper has contracted for its share of 425 megawatts (MW) of new utility-scale solar power that will be added to the utility system in 2023, through several projects to be built across a wide swath of South Carolina. Central Electric Power Cooperative, Santee Cooper’s largest customer, has finalized contracts with the same developers for the remaining share. The 425 MW of solar is equal to nearly 40% of the currently installed solar capacity in South Carolina.

Santee Cooper and Central Electric Power Cooperative have executed a power purchase agreement for the output of the projects to be developed by various groups including  Ecoplexus.

Ecoplexus will build a 75-MW AC / 100-MW DC solar project in Williamsburg County. The project is named Hemingway and is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2023.

“These solar projects are the best of the best, in terms of delivering experience, reliability and competitively priced power, and the results prove that this kind of market-based approach produces the best benefits for our customers.,” said Santee Cooper President and CEO Mark Bonsall. “We are incredibly pleased to be working with an excellent group of solar developers as we transform our power supply to one that is significantly more sustainable and less expensive.”

These developers were chosen following a process that began a year ago with a request for proposals, sent to nearly 30 solar developers, and a joint analysis by Santee Cooper and Central Electric Power Cooperative, Santee Cooper’s largest customer, of 58 submitted project proposals totaling more than 3,600 MW.

“Ecoplexus is delighted to help Santee Cooper and Central Electric Power meet their renewable energy goals in a cost-effective manner, and invest in the economy of the great state of South Carolina while improving its citizens’ quality of life,” said John Gorman, Ecoplexus CEO.

Although Santee Cooper and Central have contracted separately for their respective load share of each project, Santee Cooper will manage the projects as part of its combined power system. As the aggregator for the state’s individual electric cooperatives, Central represents about 72.5% of the system load.

This group of solar projects represents the first of three phases Santee Cooper is planning as it transforms its generating portfolio to a leaner, greener mix. Other phases, of another approximately 500 MW each, are scheduled for later in the 2020s and early 2030s.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.

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