Solar

Duke Energy to break ground on Idaho’s largest solar facility

The Jackpot solar facility would be Duke Energy’s first utility-scale renewables project in Idaho and, once complete, it would be the largest solar facility in the state.
Duke Energy to break ground on Idaho’s largest solar facility
(Source: Duke Energy.)

Duke Energy announced construction would begin on a 120 MW solar project in Twin Falls County, Idaho. 

The Jackpot solar facility would be Duke Energy’s first utility-scale renewables project in Idaho and, once complete, it would be the largest solar facility in the state.

Jackpot is expected to be commercially operable by the end of 2022 and would provide energy to Idaho Power through a 20-year agreement.

Swinerton Renewable Energy is doing the engineering and construction for the project, which will be located on 952 rural acres south of the city of Twin Falls. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will own and operate the project.

Duke Energy said it increased its electricity generating capacity from renewable energy sources by 20% in 2021.

The company’s current generation mix includes more than 10,000 MW of solar and wind energy. Duke Energy has set a goal of reaching 16,000 MW of renewables by 2025 and 47,000 MW by 2050.

In a February call with investors, Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good said the utility plans to double its renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade, and stop generating electricity from coal by 2035.

Duke has retired 56 coal units for a total of 7.5 GW of capacity since 2010, Good said. The utility will spend around $4 billion on hydrogen-enabled natural gas generation to better ensure reliability in the absence of coal.

Idaho is ranked 27th among U.S. states in solar installed with 612.5 MW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

At 108 MW, Grandview PV Solar Two is one of the largest solar projects in Idaho. It was installed in 2016.

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