The document discusses renewable energy projects and proposed solar projects in the El Paso/Southern New Mexico region. Currently, there are 46 MW of renewable energy projects operational totaling $184 million. An additional 219 MW of projects are under development totaling $876 million. Some proposed projects include becoming a net solar exporter, attracting a solar manufacturer, and establishing a solar CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) to access the region's solar resources through improved transmission. A CREZ zone designation by the Public Utility Commission has helped increase wind generation capacity in Texas through transmission buildouts.

1. Dennis L. Thomas, Ph. D.
Co-Chair, Phase I
El Paso/ Southern New Mexico
Regional Clean Energy Initiative

2. Renewable Energy Projects
Currently in Operation
46 MW = $184 million (@ $4,000/kW)
• El Paso Electric—31.9 MW
• City of El Paso—12.71 MW
• Housing Auth.,El Paso—185 kW
• Ft. Bliss—1.2 MW
• City of Las Cruces—172 kW
• UTEP—186 kW
• Franklin College—20 kW
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3. Renewable Energy Projects
Under Development
219 MW = $876 million (@ $4,000/kW)
EPE 22 MW Solar Power Projects (Dona Ana County)
10 MW Chaparral Solar Field
12 MW Las Cruces Airport
2.5 MW Solar Project at Newman Generating Station
21 kW Solar Project in Van Horn
Ft. Bliss and EPE 20 MW Solar Facility on Fort Bliss
Ft. Bliss and City 140 MW Waste-to-Energy and Solar Thermal Plant
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4. City of El Paso 1 MW landfill gas recovery on Clint Landfill
2-5 MW rooftop solar (3rd party PPA)
2 MW of rooftop solar at Airport
Renewable energy incentive program - $1.25 million (solar rebates)
City of Las Cruces 12 MW SunEdison solar project for EPE
400 kW expansion of F&A Dairy (cheese) solar project
White Sands Missile R. 4.5 MW Solar PV System at Missile Range Center (Siemens)
NASA – White Sands 1-3 MW Solar PV
El Paso County 6 MW of ground and rooftop solar (PPA)
UTEP 5.5 MW rooftop solar PV project
20 electric vehicle charging station projects
El Paso Com. College Install additional solar panels at ATC (Building 2)
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5. Proposed Projects
1. Become a Net Solar Exporter
2. Attract Solar Manufacturer to Region
3. Learn from & Collaborate on Advanced Energy Economy
4. Assist Military and Federal Facilities Achieve “Net Zero” Goals
5. Recognition as Regional Renewable Energy Leader
6. Prepare Study on Clean Energy Business Potential
7. 10,000 DRG Solar Roof Initiative
8. HUB-UTEP Incubator Programs
9. Public Awareness and Feedback
10. El Paso Solar Energy Association Initiative
11. Establish a Renewable Energy Certification Center
12. Ysleta Solar & Clean Energy Demo Project
13. White Sands 40 MW Solar
14. Develop Solar Canopies at Ports of Entry
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11. Project: Help Establish a Solar CREZ Zone
Concept: The CREZ zones have been an effective way to get transmission built to
access the rich wind resources in Texas. The last of the wind CREZ lines will be
completed in 2013. Texas is also rich in solar resources, especially in far West
Texas. Under this concept, interested groups would work to test the economic
feasibility of developing a CREZ zone for solar resources.
Background: The cost of solar power has dropped significantly in the 2nd and 3rd
quarters of 2012. Solar panels started 2012 above a dollar a watt, and now
average 84 cents a watt and are expected to go to 60 cents a watt. All in cost
(installed cost) for large scale solar projects in far West Texas were $2.85 a watt
three months ago, and are currently being bid at $2.10 a watt.
The rumored prices for the winning solar bids in the CPS Energy 400 MW
solicitation were mid $80 per MWh. By comparison, West Texas wind is being
priced below $40 MWh, and coastal wind is being priced in the mid-$40’s MWh.
Solar has the advantage of being coincident with peak usage.
Conclusion: Within 3-5 years, solar will be a competitive resource in the better
solar areas of Texas. There will be a demand for improved transmission to access
that solar in far West Texas.
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12. Program Overview (from PUC website)
Description of CREZ: The utilities code section 39.904 in conjunction with
Senate Bill 20 (2005) established Texas's Renewable Energy Program and
directed the PUC to identify Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ). A
CREZ is a geographic area where wind generation facilities will be
constructed. In 2008, PUC issued order 33672 designating five CREZs for the
generation of wind power and defining the required transmission upgrades to
deliver wind generated energy to Texas consumers.
Transmission build-out program: The CREZ project is the PUC’s response to a
public mandate to increase renewable energy in Texas to serve the electric
needs of the state. The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 7 in
1999, which restructured the state’s electric industry and allowed
Transmission Service Providers (TSPs) to offer transmission services to other
utilities throughout Texas. Ultimately, the CREZ effort will significantly
increase Texas’s current level of wind generation capacity to 18,456 MW.
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13. Crez Zones
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14. Crez Zones
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