Solar farm comes to Madison Co.

Special to The Canton News 

The Madison County Board of Supervisors, the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), and officials from EDP Renewables North America recently announced the company’s plan to build a state-of-the-art solar farm in Madison County.

EDPR North America and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own and operate wind farms and solar parks throughout North America. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with fifty-eight wind farms and nine solar parks, EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) operates more than 8,200 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects. EDPR NA is owned by EDP Renewables and is the world’s fourth-largest wind energy producer, and EDPR NA represents EDPR’s largest market in terms of installed capacity and production.

EDPR NA has purchased and/or leased about 1,600 acres east of the Nissan facility for the project. This new project will create a $150 million investment for the county and will produce $600,000 in property tax revenue to Madison County and the Canton Public School District.

EDPR NA will employ two hundred temporary jobs during the construction phase and two permanent jobs.

“We are delighted that EDP Renewables chose Madison County for its latest investment,” said Joey Deason, MCEDA Executive Director. “We welcome them to our county and are excited about the economic revenue growth this project will bring to our community and schools. Construction is expected to begin later this year after receiving the Public Service Commission’s Approval.”

“The Madison County Board of Supervisors is glad to welcome EPR Renewables to Madison County,” said Gerald Steen, President of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. “We appreciate the leadership that MCEDA provided during the site selection and incentives process. This project will not consume any additional fire, police, or labor resources and will provide valuable revenue to Madison County.”