What is now Nebraska’s largest solar array celebrated during Saunders Co. event – Lincoln Journal Star
The Omaha Public Power District on Thursday celebrated the formal launch of its first utility-scale solar array, the largest solar array in Nebraska to date. The utility has an agreement to purchase the electricity from the 81-megawatt Platteview Solar plant south of Nebraska Highway 92 near Yutan.
Although the plant began commercial operation on May 1, Omaha Public Power District officials joined local leaders Thursday in Saunders County to formally mark the connection of the largest solar plant to date in Nebraska.
Platteview Solar, OPPD’s first utility-scale solar project, is south of Nebraska 92 near Yutan.
OPPD has an agreement to purchase the 81 megawatts of electricity that the plant’s 188,000 solar panels can generate from AES, which developed, owns and operates the plant. That’s enough energy to power 14,000 homes. The plant is the second-largest solar array in the Southwest Power Pool, the utility’s regional power grid.
Javier Fernandez, OPPD’s president and CEO, said the plant represents a major milestone for OPPD, Nebraska and the region. On Thursday afternoon, the plant was producing 71 megawatts of electricity.
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“It was really cool to see the project finalized and already pumping electrons into the system,” he said.
OPPD, like utilities nationwide, faces unprecedented growth in demand for electricity as well as pressure to shift to renewable fuels like solar in order to head off the worst climate impacts. The utility has set a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To meet electricity demand, the utility plans to add 2.5 gigawatts of new generation in the next decade, nearly doubling the size of its current generation portfolio.
Platteview Solar, according to the utility, represents a $57 million investment in the Saunders County area. The project supported 350 jobs during peak construction, as well as two to three full-time positions. Over its life, the project will generate more than $9.5 million in local tax revenue, two-thirds of which will go to the Yutan School District.
The utility is scheduled to bring two more generation projects online yet this year. The two new natural gas plants — Turtle Creek Station in Sarpy County and Standing Bear Lake Station in Douglas County — are slated to produce a combined 600 megawatts of electricity, running on as-needed basis to balance energy load within OPPD’s 13-county service territory and the region.
OPPD is currently assessing the viability of another potential solar project known as K-Junction in York County. If it comes to fruition, the utility-scale solar project could provide 310 megawatts of electricity. It’s also studying a potential landfill solar project in Douglas County, which would be the first of its kind in Nebraska, that could turn a shuttered county landfill into a productive site.
Top Journal Star photos for July 2024
Shadows of athletes are cast on the wall as they warm up on the diving board during the Cornhusker State Games diving competition at Woods Memorial Pool on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Lincoln.
Husker volleyball player Rebekah Allick (left) and her brother Josiah, a former Nebraska men’s basketball player, celebrate lighting the caldron to kick off the Cornhusker State Games during an opening ceremony Thursday outside Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Allick siblings were the honorary torch lighters for the 40th annual sporting competition. More than 8,000 athletes are expected to compete in the games, which take place through July 21 in Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, North Platte and other surrounding communities. Athletes will compete in 70 sports at more than 50 venues.
Lincoln Saltdogs’ Matt Pita (19) slides to catch a popfly to right field in the second inning at Haymarket Park on Friday, July 12, 2024, in Lincoln.
Synergy’s Justin Kubichek from Waukesha, WI rounds a corner during the USA Roller Sports National Championships 2/3/4 inline relay competition at the Speedway Sports Complex on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Lincoln.
Captured using a slower shutter speed, fiddle player Sam Packard plays alongside Lloyd McCarter & the Honkey Tonk Revival during ZooFest on North 14th street outside the Zoo Bar on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lincoln.
People watch the fireworks display during the Uncle Sam Jam Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday at Oak Lake Park.
Seward’s own Jill Beisel tries to gather up a popped bubble as she competes in the bubble gum blowing contest during Seward’s Fourth of July celebration. Bisel would go on to win the contest and be named the 2024 bubble gum blowing state champ.
A crowd is pushed back as YouTuber Cam Wilder plays basketball Sunday at Antelope Park.
Guest walk to the bandshell while wearing Fourth of July-themed hats during Seward’s 156th annual Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Lincoln Gift of Denver, 3, eats a vanilla sprinkle ice cream cone from Zesto on Friday.
Kennard and Cathy Pischel (from left) pose for a portrait outside of their Lincoln home on Wednesday. The couple adorns their front yard with flags, weather permitting, for patriotic holidays including Memorial Day, Flag Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July.
Two joggers (bottom) make their way past a large tree that was twisted from the ground and blocked access to Huntington Avenue near Nebraska Wesleyan University following Monday night’s storm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Lincoln.
Joshua Morales (second from left), 17, embraces a friend near the scene of a shooting Friday in Crete. Seven people were injured, including four children, and the suspect shot and killed himself, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Carpet Land’s Owen Laessig (center) raises the Mike Peterson/Coach K Tournament championship plaque after the Rugs defeated Papillion on Sunday at Den Hartog Field.
A Western Kingbird perches on a pipe with its nest at the former Hansen-Mueller grain elevator near 30th Street and Cornhusker Highway on Wednesday.
Tama Krings of Lincoln, (from left), shops for fireworks with her grandchildren Naya Martinez, 10, and Jace Krings, 14, at Wild Willy’s Fireworks on Monday in Eagle. Stands in Lincoln can begin selling fireworks Wednesday.
Shaquille O’Neal performs as DJ Diesel to a sold-out crowd on Saturday at the Royal Grove.
Pinnacle Bank’s Braylon Lewis (1) creates a makeshift rally cap with his teammates sunglasses in the seventh inning during a Mike Peterson/Coach K Tournament game at Den Hartog Field on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Lincoln.
As the sun sets, Rod Lantis (from left) and Lincoln local Tom Zwiebel prepare the fuses of fireworks before an evening show for the Lincoln Saltodgs outside of Haymarket Park on Friday.
Sierra Edmisten of Hastings (left) high-fives Jo Giles, executive director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha, after signing the affidavit for filing petition pages at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday.
Malcolm’s Hayden Frank (left) tags out Hickman’s Jordan Monroe (right) at first base during a Mike Peterson/Coach K Tournament game on Friday at Densmore Park.
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