FORT GORDON, Ga. (May 23, 2014) - The U.S. Army announced solar power is on the way to Fort Gordon bringing its commitment one step closer to the president of developing renewable energy.
On May 15, the Army announced plans for three 30-megawatt, alternating current, solar photovoltaic arrays -- one each for the three Georgia active-duty installations. The installations include Gordon, Stewart and Benning.
"This is an exciting opportunity for the Army and Fort Gordon," said Col. Samuel G. Anderson, Fort Gordon garrison commander. "This project would produce a sustainable, renewable energy source for the installation, at no cost to the Army other than the use of the land, which the solar array is built on. As this technology matures, we expect the project will ultimately improve our energy security posture on the installation. We look forward to partnering with Georgia Power as the project moves forward."
The projects, known as the Georgia 3x30, should bring the U.S. Army nine percent closer to its commitment of deploying one gigawatt of renewable energy by 2025, according to an U.S. Army release.
The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act requires the U.S. Army to consume 25 percent of electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2025.
"The project will be a platform for energy security and enable the U.S. Army to increase energy security and sustainability at all three installations," explained Hon. Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment.
The three Georgia projects are a collaborative effort among the U. S. Army Energy Initiatives Task Force, forts Stewart, Gordon and Benning, the General Services Administration, and Georgia Power.
Georgia Power, an operating utility of Southern Company, will finance, design, build, own and operate these projects. The U.S. Army will purchase power through an existing General Services Administration 'Area wide contract' with Georgia Power. Land at each of the installations will be made available for the arrays and transmission of power.
The Fort Gordon solar power plant will be built on a 250-acre lot near Gordon Lakes Golf Course and are still in the planning stage. The groundbreaking is planned for late 2014 after an environmental assessment is complete.
Once all three plants are operational, 18 percent of the energy the U.S. Army consumes in Georgia will be generated on-site by renewable sources.
This announcement comes just weeks after a groundbreaking for a largescale solar project at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
"We continue to grow our relationships with other government agencies and industry and are gaining momentum in building a sustainable renewable energy portfolio," explained Richard Kidd, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for energy and sustainability.
The U.S. Army Energy Initiatives Task Force is currently working on additional projects in Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland and New York.
Editor's Note: Office of the Chief of Public Affairs contributed to this report.
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