The construction of 270MW solar + storage projects by DESRI have broken ground in San Juan County in Mexico. DESRI, a US-based renewables developer-operator announced the project’s commencement earlier this week. The scope entails two projects in New Mexico totaling 270MW of solar and 180MW of battery storage. Moreover, the firm noted the project would be implemented alongside investment partner Tierra Adentro Growth Capital.
The Foxtail Flats and Four Mile Mesa solar-plus-storage projects, both located in San Juan County, will be built on land owned by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Furthermore, they are expected to enter commercial operation in 2027. Foxtail Flats will pair a 170-MW solar farm with an 80-MW/320-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). It is also contracted under long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Incorporated County of Los Alamos.
Solar + storage projects across New Mexico such as the Shallow Basket project have been thriving in the region. It integrates 140 MWac of solar capacity with 50 MW of battery storage in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The project has adopted recent trends in solar projects that are now more often coupeld with battery storage.
Scope of Implementation on the DESRI Solar + Storage Projects in New Mexico
The DESRI solar + storage projects in New Mexico had a formal groundbreaking ceremony at the sites earlier this month. Other than Foxtails, the scope on the Four Mile Mesa entails a 100-MW solar project co-located with a 100-MW/400-MWh BESS. It was procured through Public Service Company of New Mexico’s Rate 36B framework to support data center operations for Meta Platforms Inc.
The projects are sited adjacent to DESRI’s existing San Juan Solar and Storage facility and near the retired San Juan Generating Station. On the other hand, Tierra Adentro provided a tax equity for the projects while financing is led by NORD/LB and Santander Corporation Investment Bank. Engineering, procurement and construction work will be carried out by SOLV Energy, DESRI said.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Foxtail Flats & Four Mile Mesa Solar + Storage Projects
- Location: San Juan County, New Mexico, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: Undisclosed
- Project Type: Utility-scale solar farms + battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Timeline
- Groundbreaking ceremony held: 2026
- Construction phase: Underway
- Commercial operation target: 2027
- Financing and procurement finalized prior to construction
Site & Scale
- Total solar capacity: 270 MW
- Total battery storage: 180 MW / 720 MWh
- Foxtail Flats: 170 MW solar + 80 MW/320 MWh BESS
- Four Mile Mesa: 100 MW solar + 100 MW/400 MWh BESS
Key Contractors/Stakeholders
- Developer: DESRI
- Investment partner: Tierra Adentro Growth Capital
- EPC contractor: SOLV Energy
- Financing partners: NORD/LB and Santander Corporate Investment Bank
- Land owner: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Infrastructure Scope
- Two co-located solar and storage facilities
- Grid interconnection infrastructure
- Also large-scale battery energy storage systems
- Adjacent development near retired San Juan Generating Station
- Long-term power supply arrangements for utilities and data centers
Strategic Objectives
- Expand renewable energy generation in New Mexico
- Support data center electricity demand
- Also replace retired fossil fuel generation capacity
- Strengthen grid reliability through battery storage integration
Current Status
- Construction officially underway
- Financing secured and EPC contractor appointed
- Also long-term PPAs established
- Commercial operations targeted for 2027
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