Major gas, solar and storage plans unveiled in two US states

Utilities in New Mexico and Tennessee have both released plans for new solar, storage and gas infrastructure. The New Mexico plan is more immediate as it is linked to the closure of the San Juan coal power station in June 2022. The utility PNM has asked the state’s regulator to approve “the securitisation of the unrecovered investment in the plant” and backing for replacement infrastructure. It has suggested 280MW of gas peaker plants, 350MW of solar and 130MW of battery storage. The plan is the result of PNM’s modelling. Compared to the continuation of operations at San Juan it expects to save customers US$7.11 per month in 2023. "Each step we take toward 100% emissions-free must balance the cost, the environment, and reliability," said Pat Vincent-Collawn, chairman, president and CEO, PNM Resources the parent company of utility PNM. "The San Juan replacement plan we put forth will not only save customers money but will have one of the largest solar facilities in the US and one of the highest percentages of battery storage anywhere in the country."