AES outlines 60 MW McCracken County solar plan, timeline and community benefits

AES Clean Energy representatives presented a proposal and update for a 60-megawatt solar project planned in McCracken County, telling the fiscal court the project would be constructed beginning in 2027 with operations expected in 2028.

The company said the project site covers 719 acres across four landowners, of which about 420 acres would be used for the array and associated facilities. Johanna Krauss Jardin, AES director of development, told the court the project would connect to an existing Big Rivers Electric Corporation transmission line and that state permitting completed in 2021 with a local application to be submitted within “one to two weeks.”

AES said the capital investment is estimated at $130 million, with roughly $15 million of construction income, $14 million in estimated operations income and $10 million for local grid improvements. During peak construction AES estimated about 150 on-site jobs, and the company said it expects to employ one to two full-time operations staff after commissioning.

County officials and AES staff discussed several topics raised during the presentation. AES representatives said the design follows the county solar ordinance, including a minimum 500-foot setback from nearby residences to the array and use of existing mature tree lines for screening. AES said it will plant native seed mixes recommended by the McCracken County extension service where additional screening is needed and maintain vegetation inside the array to 10 inches or less for safety and operations; AES also described alternatives such as managed grazing with sheep in some projects.

AES described environmental and permitting studies already completed, including wetland delineation, habitat assessment, cultural resources (phase 1 archaeological survey), traffic and hydrology studies. Megan Miller, AES permitting manager, said archaeological survey work found no probable cemetery sites. AES representatives said they avoid wetlands and forested areas where possible and that final panel layout will “shrink-wrap” to minimize clearing.

On decommissioning, AES said it will prepare a decommissioning plan and post a restoration bond consistent with the county ordinance; AES cited a 10% planning estimate used to calculate bond sizing and said the company will follow both local ordinance requirements and relevant state decommissioning requirements.

AES also described a community benefit plan it will attach to permitting materials. The company said one committed contribution is funding for an impact-opportunity study with the Western United Way of Kentucky and indicated a plan for a community advisory group and a community contributions package (the company referenced a $150,000 level of commitments to be defined and delivered by commercial operation).

County members pressed AES on lease payments to landowners, property tax and assessment treatment, visual impacts and long-term equipment life. AES said its operations-income estimate includes lease payments to landowners; the company declined to provide specific landowner lease payments in the meeting but said lease terms and comparable values vary by county and are public information in county records. On taxes, AES said assessment practices focus on land value rather than equipment for property assessment purposes and noted panels may be replaced over time if re‑investment occurs.

AES said the project will be fenced, monitored remotely by SCADA 24/7, and will use contracted maintenance and operations teams; AES said it aims to recruit locally when possible. The presentation closed with AES offering contact information and a willingness to meet one‑on‑one with county staff on ordinance compliance and the community benefits package.

AES representatives answered questions but did not request a formal county vote at the meeting. The county and AES staff agreed to continue coordination during the local permitting review and to provide follow up materials addressing municipal agreement expectations and the community benefits package.