The East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is meeting the growing demand for renewable energy by building two new solar farms.
The new solar farms, located in Fayette County and another in Marion County, will add 136 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity.
Together, the two solar farms will produce enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of 15,500 typical Kentucky homes.
“This is a big step forward in providing renewable energy options for homes and businesses in Kentucky,” said Tony Campbell, CEO of EKPC. “These solar farms will help to diversify EKPC’s electric-generating fleet, providing carbon-free electricity and helping to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy, especially among businesses and industries.”
Cutting Carbon Emissions
Cooperative Solar Farm Two will be located in eastern Fayette County, between Interstate 64 and U.S. 60, approximately 3.5 miles west of EKPC’s main campus.
The Fayette County facility will have capacity to generate 40 MW of electricity on 387 acres.
Cooperative Solar Farm Three is located just north of Lebanon, on the east side of Ky. 55.
The Cooperate estimates construction on Solar Farm Two will begin in late 2025 and be complete by early 2027.
The Marion County facility will have capacity to generate 96 MW of electricity on 635 acres.
The Cooperative estimates construction on Solar Farm Three will begin in early to mid-2026 and be complete by early 2027.
EKPC owns and operates Cooperative Solar Farm One, which was developed in 2017 and is located at EKPC’s main campus in Clark County.
The 60-acre facility features 32,300 solar panels capable of producing up to 8.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to provide all the power needs for approximately 1,000 typical homes.
Diversifying Energy Sources
The total cost of developing the two solar farms is estimated at $335.4 million.
EKPC has filed an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission for review and approval of the proposed projects.
According to a press release, the new solar farms also will provide low-cost power during periods of summer peak demand, helping to keep costs competitive.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative serves 1.1 million Kentucky residents at 565,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries across 89 counties.
The Fayette and Marion solar farms are continued progress toward diversify EKPC’s generating fleet and provide low-cost energy.
“While renewable energy will be a growing part of the generating portfolio, EKPC’s fossil fleet continues to play a vital role in ensuring 24/7/365 energy capacity for the homes and businesses served by our owner-member cooperatives,” said Don Mosier, EKPC’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
These projects resulted from solicitations for solar proposals and was initiated by a private developer.
Both projects are in the final stages of review for interconnection to the high-voltage transmission grid, which can take years to complete.
For more information about each project, visit EKPC’s web site at www.ekpc.coop.
