By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Pinal County officials are looking at the re-designation of 795 acres of land southwest of Casa Grande off Interstate 8 for a large solar energy development.
EDP Renewables North America LLC wants to develop the Casa Grande Carmel Solar Park on a wide swath of land at Interstate 8 and South Bianco Road.
The Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission will look at a major comprehensive plan amendment at its meeting today to designate the 795 acres for green energy production.
The Casa Grande solar project is slated to produce 100MW of power and could open in 2021 or 2022. It is expected to create 200 construction jobs, according to EDP filings with Pinal County. EDP reports 100MW is enough to power 27,000 homes
The land eyed for the solar park is currently mostly undeveloped private desert land. Some parcels have some farming.
The solar park’s site is near APS transmission lines and 3.5 miles from a Walmart (NYSE: WMT) solar project.