Intermountain Healthcare, a not-for-profit health service provider in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah has joined a utility-scale solar project that will supply 20% of its total electricity needs.
Under a new 20-year power purchase agreement with D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), Intermountain facilities will receive energy from DESRI’s Castle Solar Project under development near Huntington, Utah.
“This is Intermountain’s biggest step in our commitment to help create a cleaner environment in the communities we serve,” remarked Mikelle Moore, Intermountain’s senior vice president and chief community health officer. “We want to help drive the solutions that will clean our air and make us more sustainable in the future.”
Intermountain pointed out that DESRI will own, construct, and operate the solar installation and utility Rocky Mountain Power will provide the transmission grid. The not-for-profit added that Utah public schools and institutions will receive revenue from the project, part of which is being built on state trust lands.
“Intermountain is leading the way among healthcare systems in delivering affordable care to its patients while committing to clean energy use,” commented DESRI Chief Development Officer Hy Martin. “The Castle solar project is another in DESRI’s national renewable energy fleet being added in coming years that will support rural economies. We would like to thank Rocky Mountain Power, Enyo Renewable Energy, and all of our project partners who are making this project a reality.”
The Castle project is slated to begin operations in mid-2022, stated Intermountain, whose system includes 24 hospitals, 215 clinics, a medical group, a health insurance company, and other health services. Intermountain added that its portion of the project will produce approximately 55,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity per year – or, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, enough energy to power nearly 5,200 homes in one year.
“Our intent at Rocky Mountain Power is to provide customers with options that help them achieve their goals in a seamless way,” said Gary Hoogeveen, the utility’s president and CEO. “By teaming up with community partners like Intermountain, we are able to collectively work toward meeting their sustainability objectives as well as a quicker transition to a cleaner renewable future.”
