Eleven Mile Solar Center

Eleven Mile
Solar Center

About the project

Bringing local jobs, investment, and clean energy to Pinal County, Arizona

Ørsted’s Eleven Mile Solar Center is a long-term asset for Pinal County that will help meet the energy needs of the state by providing clean, flexible, solar-powered electricity.

Located on over 2,000 acres, the solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) will generate more than 900,000 MWh of energy annually – enough to power almost 63,750 homes. According to the Arizona Corporate Commission, the Eleven Mile Solar Center will also improve the reliability and safety of the local grid.

Construction of the Center began in 2023 and the project is estimated to be in operation in 2024.

Location:	Pinal County, AZ
Owner & Developer:	Ørsted Onshore
Solar Capacity:	300 MW_AC
Storage Capacity:	300 MW _{AC ,}four-hour BESS
Total Annual Energy:	Enough to power 63,750 homes
Construction Jobs Created	300
Construction Timeline:	March 2023 to mid-2024
Estimated Operations:	2024

Investment in Pinal County

The Eleven Mile Solar Center will create long-term value for landowners hosting the project while stimulating the local economy. The project will generate tens of millions in new tax revenue over the project life without adding new costs for services. Tax revenue will benefit Coolidge USD, Casa Grande ESD, Casa Grande UHS, the Central Arizona College, the City of Eloy, the City of Coolidge, and Pinal County. The project will also create at least 300 local jobs during construction and will require ongoing support for operations and maintenance over the 30-year estimated life of the project.

The Highest Standards for Health, Safety, and Maintenance

As a long-term operator of solar and wind projects, Ørsted is committed to the highest quality standards to ensure a safe and reliable solar and battery energy systems – from the first steps of development to sourcing of materials and construction, and until the project is decommissioned.

Good Neighbors

At Ørsted, we listen to the communities with which we work and are committed to being a good neighbor for years to come. Throughout the construction and operation of the Eleven Mile Solar Center, we will continue to meet with officials and the nearby communities to ensure a direct line of communication over any concerns that arise during and after construction.

FAQs

How will this project impact our community in Pinal County?

The Eleven Mile Solar Center will provide long-term value for Pinal County and the state of Arizona – adding value to the local economy of Coolidge and cutting energy costs for consumers. The project will generate property tax revenue, which promotes economic development and can be used to support local schools and emergency services – all without the need to raise local tax rates. Eleven Mile Solar Center will also create temporary and long-term employment opportunities for Coolidge and the surrounding communities.
What are the benefits of solar energy?

A utility-scale solar energy project can help transform local economies, which enhances the quality of life and opportunities in a community. Solar delivers affordable clean energy via predictable contracts that do not fluctuate over time.

The cost of installing a ground-mounted, utility scale solar project declined by 90% over the last 10 years. These declines, combined with an unlimited and abundant free fuel source, make solar financially competitive with conventional power plants. Utilities and large companies across the country are taking advantage of this to procure a long-term, fixed-price supply of electricity.

With millions of dollars in new tax revenue (or directed payments in lieu of taxes), communities can build new school facilities, enhance roads and bridges, and expand emergency services – all without increasing local taxes on property.
What are large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS)?

Large-scale energy storage is the method and apparatus used to store energy within an electrical power grid. Energy is stored during the day when there is an abundance of electricity being generated, and it is discharged during peak hours when the need is greatest. The most common BESS look like shipping containers and are filled with racks of lithium-ion batteries that store and transmit energy to the grid.
Why are BESS needed?
BESS provide several beneficial functions:

Energy Shifting: The availability and timing of energy supply does not always match up with when consumers need energy the most. BESS can give energy providers the ability to store energy during peak production times and distribute that energy during peak demand.

Firm Capacity: As a dispatchable energy source, BESS can offer firm capacity to the grid system, ensuring that during peak demand periods the grid operator will have access to electricity.

Grid Services: BESS can allow the grid operator to maintain a stable and reliable grid through frequency regulation, voltage control, and reserve services.

Emergency Backup: In case of an outage, BESS can serve as a fast-start generator to keep the grid running and/ or get it online faster.
How safe are BESS?

Battery manufacturers perform extensive testing before deployment, and energy storage systems are required to be designed to high safety standards. These systems are designed with multiple layers of risk monitoring and mitigation in place. In addition, the project site is remotely monitored 24/7 by trained personnel to ensure no abnormalities are occurring on the system. Fencing will be erected to keep the public at a safe distance from the storage facility. Only trained personnel are allowed inside the fenced area to minimize any risk.
What are your BESS safety precautions?

Ørsted has had several meetings with the Coolidge Fire Department to outline the response procedures to be employed should an emergency arise at the project site. Ørsted has worked through the battery supplier on developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan and an Emergency Response Plan, which has been sent to SRP and the Fire Dept. for approval, to be used during construction of the facility.

Once construction is complete, we will host a training to all emergency response personnel, which includes a description of the project, any potential construction risks, and the role of emergency responders should an incident occur. We will also host the emergency response personnel for a site visit to make sure they are familiar with the system and our Emergency Action Plan.