Danish firm wants to build solar farm

Roosevelt County commissioners on Tuesday heard more details about a planned solar energy farm that would bring construction jobs and a revenue stream for a number of school districts from the project’s industrial revenue bonds.

The facility is described as “a proposed solar photovoltaic electric generating and storage project located within Roosevelt County…”

Roosevelt County Manager Annette Kirk said the 2,200-acre Blackwater Solar Center LLC project would be located on Roosevelt Road 3, not far from an Xcel Energy substation.

The project is owned by Orsted, a Danish company that is 50.1% owned by the Danish government, according to Orsted spokesperson Jamie Mears.

Mears said during the construction phase of the project an estimated 150 to 200 jobs will be created.

Once the project is operational, less than 10 positions will be at the farm, according to Mears.

Some present expressed concern over fires, chemicals getting into the water table and use of storage batteries in the project.

Mears said safeguards will be in place.

Later in the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to issue taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds for the Blackwater Solar Center “in an amount not to exceed $315 million.”

In other business:

• Commissioners approved the Nov. 5 General Election vote canvass.

Roosevelt County Clerk Mandi Park reported of 11,645 registered voters in the county, 6,666 voted in the election.

“The election went well and we’re glad it’s done,” Park told commissioners.

• Paying the State Land Office a one-time fee of $40,000 for use of roads over state land came up for discussion at the behest of Commissioner Rodney Savage.

Savage called for the county to move forward and pay the money.

Commission Chair Tina Dixon said, “I still have a whole lot of questions.”

Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell said, “As far as I’m concerned it’s a wash. We’ve maintained these roads at taxpayer expense.”

Dixon wanted more time on the matter, Commissioner Dennis Lopez wanted more research.

Ray Mondragon of The Eastern Plains Council of Governments said the one-time fee – for $40,327 -- represented a 95% discount from what is actually owed.

“If nothing is done, landowners will get letters in 2025 that they are in trespass,” Mondragon said.

The matter was tabled until next month.