April 23, 2014—The U.S. Army has announced plans to start an exemplary joint public-private development of what it says will be the largest solar array in the Department of Defense on a military installation. The array is expected to provide about 25 percent of the annual installation electricity requirement of Fort Huachuca, Arizona. A ground breaking is scheduled for April 25, with commercial operations commencing in late 2014.
The Fort Huachuca Renewable Energy Project is a joint effort between the U.S. Army Energy Initiatives Task Force, Fort Huachuca, The General Services Administration (GSA), Tucson Electric Power and developer E.ON Climate and Renewables. The partners say the project will provide reliable access to electricity for daily operations and missions moving forward.
“The project establishes a new path for an innovative partnering opportunity among the U.S. Army, other federal agencies, private industry and the utility provider,” explained Richard Kidd, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for energy and sustainability. “I applaud the significant efforts and teamwork to bring this project to fruition—and set the example for other large-scale renewable energy opportunities.”
Beyond providing Fort Huachuca electricity options, the project promotes the U.S. Army’s energy security objectives. It also highlights the collaboration with the U.S. Army and the GSA in utilizing an existing contract, and leverages a seven-decade relationship between Fort Huachuca and Tucson Electric Power. Tucson Electric Power will fund, own, maintain and operate the project, and contract with E.ON Climate and Renewables for the design, engineering, procurement and construction.
The U.S. Army’s Energy Initiatives Task Force is reportedly instrumental in achieving the U.S. Army’s commitment to the U.S. president of deploying one gigawatt of renewable energy by 2025. The task force is currently working on projects in New York and California, as well as projects in Alabama, Hawaii, and Maryland.
Located 15 miles north of the Mexican border, Fort Huachuca is the home of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command. The National Historic Landmark is also the headquarters of Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), and the Electronic Proving Ground (EPG). Libby Army Airfield is also located on the post.
