Project Profile: Escalante Solar
200 MWac New Mexico Solar Project
Built on the site of the former 253-MW, coal-fired Escalante Station near Grants, N.M, Escalante Solar began generating carbon-free electricity on June 1, 2024. The project was developed by TurningPoint Energy in 2020 as part of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s landmark Responsible Energy Plan and is located in Tri-State member Continental Divide Electric Cooperative’s service territory. Escalante Solar will serve an estimated 63,000 homes for Tri-State’s members, including 11 New Mexico electric cooperatives, under a Power Purchase Agreement with Origis Energy. Escalante Solar is the largest solar project in Tri-State’s portfolio.
TPE and its partners:
- Hired local: Construction contractor Gridworks provided construction services for the project, employing an estimated 400 people during that time.
Supported the community: The project will pay approximately $7,100,000 in taxes to McKinley County and $2,400,000 in taxes to the School District over its life.
| CLIENT: | Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association |
| LOCATION: | McKinley County, NM |
| SYSTEM: | 200 MWac |
| COMPLETION: | 2024 |
| EPC: | GridWorks |
| OWNER/INVESTOR: | Origis Energy |
