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WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Developer negotiating to build power supply - Area sites eyed for electric grid
As the state begins the process to bring about long-term contracts for clean, renewable electric power, a solar developer is considering 15 sites around the state — nearly half in Central Massachusetts — to be part of a 50-megawatt project to sell electricity to National Grid.
Junaid Yasin, president of Scituate-based Ansar Energy LLC, has submitted applications with National Grid for interconnections to supply solar power, and has signed letters of intent on nine parcels in the state. He plans to develop sites around the state totaling 50 megawatts of solar power to sell to National Grid, then complete a second 50-megawatt project to sell power to the utility NStar.
Among the sites under agreement with Ansar Energy are parcels at Fitchburg Municipal Airport and privately owned land in Spencer, Sutton and Sturbridge. Mr. Yasin has held informal discussions with Worcester and Massachusetts Port Authority officials on the possibility of developing land at Worcester Regional Airport, and he is waiting for the city and Massport to issue a request for proposal for such a project, for which Ansar and other entities could apply.
Fred Guertin, manager of Fitchburg Municipal Airport, said the 41 acres under agreement there comprise some parcels that are landlocked to road access, and could not otherwise be developed. He said Ansar expects to spend about $30 million installing solar panels and related equipment there. Lease agreements and taxes would provide an estimated $513,000 annually in municipal taxes and $174,000 to the airport.
“We're one of his top two sites,” Mr. Guertin said.
The state Department of Energy Resources last month issued a draft request for proposals for long-term energy contracts, as outlined under the Green Communities Act, signed last year by Gov. Deval L. Patrick. The DOER has taken public comments on the draft, which it will consider before issuing a final RFP.
In an interview, Mr. Yasin said he would like the DOER to place more emphasis on projects that can be built quickly, address the need for power during peak load times and create jobs.
“My concern here is we're getting to the stage of implementing the Green Communities Act,” he said. “Let's not blow it. You want green projects, and green projects that are real, in a reasonable amount of time.”
Phil Giudice, commissioner of the state Division of Energy Resources, said there is no deadline for finalizing the proposal, and that his office will review the public comments, then work with the Department of Public Utilities before a final version is written.
“We will look at what is most cost-effective, and also the issue of what makes a credible project,” he said. “Do they have control of the site, and have a team with expertise in this work?
“We want to see projects that will work. Technical and financial capability is what we want to see. We're encouraged. It can be a challenge to work with all the utilities at once. We're encouraged with their willingness to work together.”
In an e-mailed statement, National Grid said that the Ansar project is very large, and that interconnection will be a complex process. The company has begun studies to review technical data, and will issue a report and estimate of costs for required system modifications. National Grid expects to have 1 to 2 percent of its total power distribution to be made up of renewable energy, the company said. Within five years the company will solicit more contracts to bring renewable power up to 3 percent of its distribution load
Julie A. Jacobson, Worcester's assistant city manager for economic development, said city officials are interested in having solar power projects at Worcester Regional Airport and other municipal facilities.
“The concept by Ansar is intriguing,” she said. “We expect to have a competitive bid process through an RFP. The city and Massport are doing research on opportunities for solar energy at the airport, and that information would be used in development of an RFP.” |
