A solar station with a capacity of 120 MW will help replace a coal power plant that is planned to be decommissioned by 2025.
According to online sources, the American company Idaho Power has signed a 20-year agreement under which the company will purchase energy from the 120 MW solar power plant. The construction of the station is being carried out by Jackpot Holdings. The main feature of the contract is that the price for 1 kWh is set at 2.2 cents, which is a record low for the USA.
It should be noted that the announced price of energy does not fully reflect the cost of the solar panels used. The fact is that during the construction of the solar station, Jackpot Holdings is utilizing government subsidies, which has allowed for significant price reductions. Notably, back in 2017, representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy reported that solar power plants in the country can achieve an average cost of one kilowatt-hour at 6 cents.
Another advantage that worked in Idaho Power's favor is the existence of operational power lines that will be used to deliver energy to customers. Currently, these lines are used for transporting electricity from a coal mine, which may cease operation in just a few years. Moreover, representatives of Idaho Power state that by 2045, the company will completely abandon the use of natural gas and coal, transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Source: 3dnews.ru
