The Nature Conservancy said that it and partner Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership have joined together with Sun Tribe Development and power producer Engie for the development of 17 new renewable energy projects on former Appalachian coal mines.
The projects include 14 solar energy and three battery storage projects on 360 acres. It is the second round of energy project announcements from TNC’s Cumberland Forest Project in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
TNC solicited competitive project proposals using LevelTen Energy to ensure the selected projects would meet its 3C criteria, offering benefits to climate, conservation and communities. The projects, set for design and construction in the coming years, are expected to provide increased local tax revenue, short-term construction job opportunities and a dedicated fund to finance additional community benefits.
“We selected Sun Tribe and ENGIE, two experienced developers that have a great interest in bringing this vision to life,” said Brad Kreps, TNC Clinch Valley director, noting that the sites will generate approximately 49 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and 320 MW of battery storage.