A global defense contractor and two Arkansas companies are developing four renewable energy projects in south Arkansas.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS), a Florida-based aerospace and defense company, and Ouachita Electric Cooperative (OECC) are investing in four renewable energy projects in Calhoun County. The companies are partnering with Today’s Power Inc. (TPI) to develop solar sites, which are expected to produce 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy in the first year alone, and energy storage systems that are expected to output 4.8 MW of power for two hours.
Two solar arrays will be constructed near General Dynamics-OTS’ facilities in Hampton. The company has signed an agreement with TPI for two 1 MW AC/1.2 MW DC solar arrays.
“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with TPI and OECC to expand our usage of renewable energy and reduce our carbon footprint at the General Dynamics-OTS Calhoun County facility” Eric Ellis, Vice President and General Manager of Precision Systems at General Dynamics-OTS, said in a statement.
These arrays are expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2020.
“It is a pleasure working with one of the most innovative companies in the world. General Dynamics-OTS has a strong reputation for providing top products and delivering reliable execution for its customers. TPI is honored to work with General Dynamics-OTS to ensure our nation’s defense is operated with clean sustainable energy” TPI president Michael Henderson said.
In addition, OECC will be leasing and operating two on-site battery energy storage systems as part of the General Dynamics solar project. These 2.4 MW storage systems are supplied with their electricity by the General Dynamics solar arrays.
According to OECC general manager Mark Cayce, the storage systems are designed to lower both the cost of operations for General Dynamics and for OECC customers. “Ouachita Electric Cooperative is proud to partner with one of our local industries to help lower their cost of operations while at the same time lowering cost for all members of our cooperative. This project is a great example of how industry and utilities can work together to protect the environment, lower cost, and improve the reliability of the electric grid,” he said.
According to a TPI news release, this is the 10thsignificant renewable energy project in the Calhoun County region and the third battery energy project that TPI has built in Arkansas.
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