By Talaina Kor | Painted Desert Tribune
During the Navajo County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the board discussed a development agreement with SE Cygnus, LLC, for the development and operation of an up to 650-megawatt solar energy facility in Navajo County. The project includes up to 650 MW utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy generation facility that includes a 400 MW battery energy storage system and a 200-foot-long generation tie-in line on 3,721 acres located 10 miles north of Snowflake. Construction is expected to start in 2027 and be operational by 2028.
According to information provided by SE Cygnus, LLC, the preliminary property tax estimates over 35 years, are estimated at $20 million for Holbrook and Snowflake school districts, $5.5 million for Northland Pioneer College, $2.5 million for the Navajo County General Fund, $783,000 for the Flood Control District, $718,000 for the Public Health District, $286,000 for the Library and $158,000 for Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology.
The developer has also agreed to partner with the county to mitigate concerns with a one-time financial contribution of $6 million, with $250,000 to be paid within 30 days (and the remainder to be paid within 270 days.
