PNM-backed Sunbelt solar and battery project presented to San Juan County; developer cites $254 million cost and local jobs
Loading...
Summary
Gridworks and PNM presented the Sunbelt Solar and 50 MW battery project near Fruitland to the commission, citing a $254 million cost, an interconnection limit just under 100 MW AC, a multi-phase construction schedule through 2027, roughly 175 temporary construction jobs and about 25 full-time operations jobs (company to validate the permanent-job count).
Jesse Lyons, senior project manager at Gridworks, told the San Juan County Commission on Feb. 3 that the Sunbelt project — a PNM-owned solar array paired with a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system — will be built on private PNM land near U.S. Highway 64 in Fruitland and represents a major investment in the county. "The total cost of the project is $254,000,000," Lyons said.
Lyons said the facility is 125 megawatts DC but will be limited at the point of interconnection to just under 100 megawatts AC under the interconnection agreement. The system will include 26 power conversion stations and will interconnect at 345 kilovolts. He described site work, trenching and a collector substation that will tie into the San Juan generating switching station.
Lyons outlined a phased schedule: civil work beginning now with a soft mobilization immediately and full heavy equipment mobilization in April; civil grading from February through August 2026; solar installation from September 2026 through August 2027; battery installation from July 2026 through September 2027; and commissioning in the spring–late 2027 window, with full commercial operation expected in September 2027. He said the team expects to stabilize vegetation and close EPA permit conditions by October 2027.
On local economic impacts, Lyons said construction will produce "approximately 175 temporary construction jobs" and "approximately 25 full time, permanent jobs" for long-term operations, and he estimated about $1,400,000 in annual tax revenue for the county. When Commissioner Lanier pressed whether similar projects historically created only five to six permanent jobs locally, Lyons said the 25-job figure came from his operations and maintenance group and that he would "go back and validate that for you, commissioner, and get back to you."
Lyons also described traffic and permitting steps: the project team is coordinating haul routes, will provide dust control, will comply with stormwater pollution prevention plans, and is working with the New Mexico Department of Transportation on one temporary and one permanent construction access (each with a deceleration lane). He told the commission that driveway permits were expected by March.
Commissioners questioned the site and timeline. Lyons confirmed the property is PNM-owned rather than county land and said Gridworks will handle EPC work and operations and maintenance for at least the first five years. He closed by saying Gridworks and PNM intend to be "responsible partners" and will continue coordination with county leadership and staff.
Next steps: commissioners requested validation of the permanent-job estimate and indicated they expect continued updates as permitting and construction milestones arrive.
