By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Duke Energy Kentucky recently built three renewable energy projects in Northern Kentucky, including the Crittenden Solar Power Plant in Grant County, for which there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.
Chuck Session, vice president for government and community affairs for Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, addresses the crowd at Monday’s ribbon-cutting (photos by Mark Hansel).
Chuck Session, vice president for government and community affairs for Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, called it an historic day for the region’s homes, businesses, churches and the local community.
“What a great opportunity to take advantage of our solar generation here today,” Session said. “Between this site, and our sites in Walton, combined, it’s a little over seven megawatts of power.”
Together, the sites will generate enough power for 1,500 homes in Northern Kentucky.
Session said as he travels across the region talking to elected and government officials on behalf of Duke he is often asked why Duke is building solar in the State of Kentucky, when it has coal.
He said there are three answers to that question.
“Solar enables us to meet our customers’ growing energy needs, through incremental additions to our existing generation mix,” Session said.
Despite overcast skies and steady rain, the solar panels at the Duke Energy Critttenden facility were generating energy Monday.
Currently Duke Energy generates 650 megawatts of power from its East Bend facility in Rabbit Hash. Another 400 megawatts of gas power is dedicated to its Northern Kentucky footprint.
“Now with the solar addition, it adds great diversity to our generation mix and that’s important to our customers in the communities that we serve,” Session said. “Additionally, the cost of adding solar generation has come down in recent years, making it more cost-competitive with other forms of generation.”
Highlights of the Crittenden Solar Plant:
*The Crittenden project occupies approximately 30 acres of property located at 922 Ruark Road in Dry Ridge.
*The project’s approximately 11,500 solar panels generate more than 2.7 megawatts of electricity, which, at peak production, can provide electricity for about 600 average-sized homes.
*All of the electricity created from the project is fed onto Duke Energy Kentucky’s electric grid and delivered to homes, businesses, schools, places of worship and other customers in the area.
Rhonda Whitaker, director, government and community relations Duke Energy Kentucky, tells the crowd at Monday’s ribbon-cutting that customer feedback drove the decision to a more diverse energy portfolio.
Grant County Judge/Executive Steve Wood said less than a year ago, the site was farmland but now, instead of growing food, it is harvesting wattage.
“I got the opportunity to come out here earlier and I was really impressed,” Wood said. “When they came to me and wanted to do this project, I didn’t even hesitate, I said yes – it’s good for the future.”
Wood said Duke Energy has made a total commitment to Grant County.
“We’re excited that Duke has been able to give grants to help our schools and our communities and for the volunteers that give back to the communities and help us in everything we do,” Wood said.
Matt Morgan, superintendent of Grant County Schools said it’s exciting that Duke Energy has committed to solar generation in Grant County and sees it more than just a source of energy.
“I’m most excited about the fact that this is a new learning tool for our students,” Morgan said. “Our teachers can point to this solar power plant to teach about energy, how solar works, how we capture solar energy and why it is important to have a diverse mix of energy sources in our region. We as a district are thrilled about the potential our students have to visit this site and connect energy-efficiency programming at our schools and at our homes to this great renewable resource.”
Despite the overcast skies and steady downpour Rhonda Whitaker, director, government and community relations Duke Energy Kentucky, said the panels were still generating energy.
Whitaker said feedback from Duke customers drove the move to solar energy.
Duke Energy officials and community stakeholders cut the ribbon at the Crittenden solar energy facility Monday.
“The world is changing rapidly – technology – you name it – and our customers have told us that they want cleaner, more reliable energy, with products and services that they can rely on from Duke,” Whitaker said. “They want more control of their energy needs and, you know, we’ve been listening. Duke Energy is working hard to build a smarter energy future, and a more reliable future for our customers, and this Crittenden solar facility is a sign of that future.”
Duke has scheduled a ribbon-cutting for its two Walton facilities in Kenton County today.
Highlights of Walton Solar Plants 1 and 2:
*The Walton projects occupy approximately 60 acres of property located at 352 York Road in Walton.
*The projects’ approximately 17,000 solar panels generate more than 4 megawatts of electricity, which, at peak production, can provide electricity for more than 900 average-sized homes.
Construction on all of the facilities began in July 2017 and all went online December 14.
Duke is also planning butterfly gardens with a volunteer group in May at both sites, working with the Boone County Garden Club.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytibune.com
The Governor seems to often show up at ribbon cuttings. Why didn’t he show up at this one or at least send a representative. Is he afraid of offending big coal? Does he not want to encourage solar power? Would the Koch brothers not approve? Remember in November. Although he is not up for election this November, we can neuter his policies by shifting at least one house of the legislature back to the Democrats.