Repsol Renewables is developing a 450 megawatt (MW) solar project in Apache County, Arizona. Once operational, the projects would generate enough electricity to power more than 100,000 Arizona homes annually.
The Lava Run Solar Project represents a capital investment of $1.1 billion, which will result in significant economic benefits for Apache County to help mitigate some of the tax revenue and job losses expected from planned retirement of Units 1 and 2 at the Springerville Generating Station.
| Lava Run Solar | |
|---|---|
| Long-term, well-paying operations jobs | 17 |
| Full-time equivalent construction jobs, average during 2-year construction period | Approx. 116 |
| Property tax revenues over first 35 years to fund schools and other critical services within Apache County | $42,900,000 |
| Sales tax revenues paid on construction materials collected by Apache County | $416,000 |
| Estimated state land rent payments to benefit state public schools and universities | $71,000,000 |
Developing Community Benefits Program of over $1 million to fund community initiatives and establish long-term partnerships with local organizations
Repsol Renewables has identified the area within Apache County as suitable for solar development because of its proximity to the existing transmission system with available capacity, a compatible solar resource, site suitability with existing land use, and minimal anticipated environmental impacts.
The Lava Run Solar Project is sited on approximately 3,760 acres of Arizona State Trust land currently managed for cattle grazing, with the potential to include one 440-acre private parcel. The project developers have been in close coordination with the grazing lessee within the project area.
The Arizona State Land Department has a statutory mandate to maximize the revenue generated through the use and lease of state land for the State Land Trust Beneficiaries, which are primarily state public schools and universities. The Lava Run Solar Project will pay over $71 million to the ASLD over its estimated 35-year useful life, which will go towards K-12 public education, agricultural and mechanical colleges, and the University of Arizona School of Mining and Mineral Resources, among others.
Below are the ways in which we will minimize potential environmental impacts of the project.
Work with state and federal agencies and stakeholders to ensure that potential environmental impacts are fully considered, minimized, and mitigated
Conduct a visual impact assessment to analyze the project’s visibility from various key observation points
Implement financial securities that will guarantee responsible decommissioning and restoration at the end of the project’s life
Generate local clean energy that strengthens the grid through resource diversity
Repsol Renewables is wholly owned by Repsol, a global multi-energy company that leads the energy transition and has set itself the goal of being zero net emissions by 2050.
With a portfolio of over 20,000 MW of wind, solar, and storage projects under development across the United States, Repsol Renewables’ experienced team has a track record of successfully identifying, developing, and building renewable energy projects. Our project successes are built on a foundation of rigorous screening and site selection, collaborative engagement with landowners and host communities, and disciplined execution through development, construction and operations.
