Mississippi Power to build three large solar energy plants

Mississippi will soon be home to a large utility-scale solar energy project that will see three solar farms built around the state to generate 105 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The project, announced this week, is part of a Mississippi Power collaboration with three solar energy firms and the United States Navy. All three solar plants would be in the Mississippi Power service zone and will add a major renewable energy source to the utility company’s electrical grid.

Taken together, the three new solar plants will generate enough annual electricity to power 15,500 homes.

"These cost-effective, utility-scale solar energy projects once again place Mississippi Power at the forefront of the state's energy economy by adding renewable energy into the company's portfolio," Mississippi Power President Anthony Wilson said. "Working together with our partners, these projects will have a substantial impact on the amount of electricity generated by renewables in Mississippi."

Mississippi Power is working with Strata Solar on a 50 MW plant in Hattiesburg and in another project alongside Origis Energy to produce 52 MW in Sumrall. The last plant is a smaller collaboration between Mississippi Power, Hannah Solar, and the U.S. Navy. It will generate 3-4 MW of power at the Navy base in Gulfport, Mississippi.