Rio Rancho is about to become a major renewable energy source for New Mexico as work on a billion-dollar, two-phase solar project nears completion.
Clēnera, a privately held renewable energy company based in Boise, Idaho, is the developer of the Atrisco Solar and Quail Ranch Solar projects located just north of Double Eagle II Airport. These combined projects will supply 400 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to approximately 100,000 households in the metro area. Clēnera is selling the generated power to the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).
According to a PNM representative, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved the projects in 2022 to replace the energy capacity lost when PNM exited its lease at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona. The plant’s closing resulted in a loss of 114 MW.
“PNM has a need for additional power,” said Eric Desmarais, director of development for Clēnera. “There’s been a large amount of data center growth and just in general we’re becoming more and more electrified, whether it’s just simple uses in our house or electric vehicles there’s a shift happening so more power is needed.”
Combined, the two projects cost $1.1 billion.
The Solar projects
According to Desmarais, Clēnera is targeting August for commercial operation of the photovoltaic or solar portion of phase one of the Atrisco Solar project, with the battery storage component expected to achieve full operational status by September. Phase two, the Quail Ranch project, is projected to come online by November 2025.
At an estimated total capital cost of $847 million, the Atrisco Solar project will produce 300 MW of solar capacity and 1,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage.
The Atrisco Solar project spans 1,800 acres and comprises roughly 670,000 solar panels meeting international regulations and certifications, each measuring 7 feet by 4 feet and weighing 73 pounds.
The Quail Ranch Solar project will add 100 MW of solar power and 400 MWh of battery storage. Quail Ranch will share the same PNM interconnection infrastructure as Atrisco Solar, integrating it into the PNM power grid.
Desmarais said the Quail Ranch project is expected to be approximately one-third the size of the Atrisco project. This translates to around 223,000 solar panels covering about 600 acres, with an estimated cost of $300 million.
Economic benefits
Clēnera hired 350 workers during construction and once operational, they will have six to eight full-time jobs on site.
Clēnera secured an industrial revenue bond with Rio Rancho, which includes a tax abatement mechanism. As a result, the company will contribute approximately $1 million per year to the county from the Atrisco facility alone.
Environmental benefits
The area had an interesting historical hurdle the company had to maneuver — the site was a former World War II-era bombing range.
“Basically, every bomber who fought in WWII trained in New Mexico at the site or the installation near Alamogordo,” Desmarais said.
According to Desmarais, the area had to be cleared of 100- and 300-pound bombs before construction could safely begin.
For four months, a team of eight workers, walking arm’s length apart and using magnetometers, searched for unexploded ordnance.
An unexploded ordnance removal contractor cleared about two tons of metal off the site.
“We have 100% confidence the site is clear and safe for development,” Desmarais said.
According to Desmarais, the City of Rio Rancho, including the planning department and City Manager Matt Geisel, have been excellent partners. Geisel collaborated closely with Clēnera on developing the site plans and managing the industrial revenue bonds while keeping the City Council informed.
“They’ve done a really good job asking the right questions and trying to understand what exactly we’re doing to make sure that it’s in the best interest of the people of Rio Rancho,” Desmarais said.
Future plans
The land for the solar projects has been used for various purposes uses over the years, including serving as a bombing range, a biosolid collection site for fertilizer, grazing land, and now a solar field.
Clēnera envisions the project having a 35-40 year lifespan. If the city’s growth extends beyond the solar facility, the solar installations can be easily decommissioned, allowing the land to be repurposed for future development.