PITTSBURGH, PA, March 25, 2024 – Swift Current Energy (“Swift Current”) was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to begin award negotiations for up to $90 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding as part of the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML). Swift Current’s Mineral Basin Solar project was selected as one of five clean energy projects in Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to accelerate clean energy deployment by supporting diverse, locally driven clean energy projects that can be replicated in current and former mining communities across the country.
Mineral Basin Solar is a 402 MWac solar project that proposes to repurpose approximately 2,700 acres of former coal mining land to support the largest solar project in Pennsylvania. The project is under development in the townships of Girard and Goshen in Clearfield County. Last year, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that Mineral Basin Solar was awarded a 20-year Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) contract as part of New York State’s seventh annual Tier 1 large-scale renewable energy solicitation under its Clean Energy Standard.
Eric Lammers, Chief Executive Officer at Swift Current, said, “Over the past few years, we have engaged with the Girard and Goshen communities to develop a project that will create significant investment into the host communities and long-standing economic benefits for the area. We appreciate the community’s engagement and enthusiasm to continue its leadership in energy production and show how former mine sites can be innovatively transitioned at scale for a new and restorative purpose in the nation’s energy landscape. As we execute this project, we will partner with local and regional stakeholders to expand the benefits of the Mineral Basin Solar project. We expect to make a final investment decision on the project in the near future.”
Lammers added, “We thank the DOE for their support in implementing programs that help support energy communities and deploy cheaper, cleaner energy across America.”
Projects selected through this funding opportunity will help to create high-quality and long-term jobs, spur economic development, and provide other direct benefits to the local community. Mineral Basin Solar will create more than 750 construction jobs and six operations jobs, while providing $1.1 million in annual tax revenue to the local townships, county and school district. In addition to benefits derived from the U.S. DOE grant, once operational, Mineral Basin Solar is also expected to contribute approximately $200,000 annually to Girard and Goshen townships for community improvements.
Swift Current will partner with local and regional stakeholders to expand access to courses, certificates, and other offerings, increasing economic mobility for citizens across a 27-county region and preparing the local clean energy workforce. Additionally, Swift Current will support organizations making significant improvements to water quality on the Susquehanna River.
Swift Current is developing an additional portfolio of more than 2,000 MW of coal-to-solar, wind energy and battery storage projects in Pennsylvania.
About Swift Current Energy
Swift Current Energy is investing in renewable energy to create a sustainable future. Founded in 2016, the company develops, constructs, owns and operates highly competitive, utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects across the United States. Swift Current Energy is majority-owned by IFM Global Infrastructure Fund portfolio company Buckeye Energy Holdings, with the other owners being IFM Net Zero Infrastructure Fund and Lookout Ridge Energy Partners. For more information, please visit swiftcurrentenergy.com.
About the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) was established to accelerate clean energy technologies and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. OCED’s mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. Visit energy.gov/oced to learn more.
Media Contact for Swift Current Energy
Ally Copple
713.201.8800
