JEA has finalized an agreement for developing three renewable energy solar facilities in Jacksonville.
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Officials said the solar sites will have a combined available output of 200 megawatts, which could provide power for more than 37,000 households.
JEA said it’s the equivalent of avoiding nearly 200,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 47,000 passenger vehicles driven a year.
The utility said it’s exploring the potential for those sites to be paired with clean technologies such as battery storage.
“These solar energy facilities are an investment in sustainability and reduced emissions for our community for generations to come,” JEA Managing Director and CEO Vickie Cavey said. “This is a crucial step in helping us meet our clean energy goals.”
JEA said it is implementing an integrated resource plan to reduce carbon emissions and incorporate more emission-free resources into its fleet of power plants.
The utility said it aims to reach 35% clean energy by 2030.
Florida Renewable Partners (FRP) will build, own, and operate the solar energy facilities. FRP said it plans to lease the land on which the facilities will be built from JEA and sell the energy from the solar facilities to JEA through Purchase Power Agreements with a 35-year term.
FRP plans to begin permitting the solar sites in the third quarter of 2024, and they are expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
FRP and JEA will work together to ensure the on-site wetlands are preserved and the new solar facilities are sustainable.