CPV wins permit for 200-MW DC solar project on former coal mine

Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) has won state approval to build a solar farm with a direct current (DC) capacity of 200 MW on a former coal mine in Garrett County, Maryland.

The company announced in a statement today that the Maryland Public Service Commission had granted it a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Backbone solar project on January 11. It will be executed on 1,170 acres (473.5 ha) of former Vindex/Arch Coal mining sites north of the town of Kitzmiller.

As part of the scheme, CPV estimates it will need to invest between USD 210 million (EUR 187.5m) and USD 290 million in infrastructure in the region, creating more than 150 jobs during the 18-month construction process that should begin later in 2022. CPV intends to carry out initial site preparation work as soon as permit conditions allow, it said.

The project is seen to bring up to USD 2.7 million in annual local tax revenues to benefit Garrett County.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.893)

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