D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading U.S. developer and operator of renewable energy projects, has announced that construction is underway on a 130-MW New Mexico solar farm that includes an integrated battery energy storage system (BESS).
DESRI and EPE Partner to Deliver Carne Solar Project
DESRI, in collaboration with El Paso Electric (EPE), has begun construction on the Carne Solar and Storage project in Deming, New Mexico. The project, known as Carne, features a 130 MWac solar facility paired with a 260 MWh storage system. It is DESRI’s second solar project in Luna County, following the Alta Luna project that began operations in 2017. The new facility aims to deliver clean, reliable energy to the Southwest and help EPE move closer to its goals of achieving 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045.
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“DESRI is pleased to continue our investment in the energy transition in New Mexico with our fourth utility scale renewable energy facility in the state, and to build on our long-standing relationship with EPE. Carne will provide reliable, cost-effective clean power to EPE, as well as transmission grid support with the planned large battery storage facility. In addition, the Project will support the local community with economic development opportunities for years to come. We are grateful for the support of EPE, Luna County, SOLV Energy and other stakeholders in the Project,” said Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI.
Carne Solar Project to Power 37,600 Homes
Carne has a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with El Paso Electric (EPE) and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2025. The project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power around 37,600 homes annually, according to Environmental Protection Agency metrics. Galehead Development and Lacuna Sustainable Investments contributed to the project’s initial development.
“EPE is excited to join DESRI in bringing this latest renewable generation addition to New Mexico, and to continue to build upon our great working relationship. The Carne facility is dedicated 100% to serving our New Mexico customers and will be a critical resource in enabling EPE to meet the needs of customer demand and requirements of New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard goals. The battery storage component of the new facility will be the largest serving EPE customers and provide much needed capacity and reliability for our New Mexico customers. EPE looks forward to the successful completion of the Carne project and to future renewable projects with DESRI in New Mexico,” said James Schichtl, Vice President of Regulatory Operations and Resource Strategy at EPE.
SOLV Energy to Lead Construction and Maintenance
SOLV Energy will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the project and will also manage ongoing operations and maintenance once the facility is operational.
“In addition to supporting EPE’s clean energy goals, Carne will create more than 300 construction jobs and provide the local workforce with on-the-job skills training and career development opportunities. SOLV Energy and DESRI have partnered on nearly four gigawatts of renewable capacity across the U.S. We’re pleased to continue working together to deliver the benefits of clean energy to New Mexico as the EPC and O&M provider on Carne,” said SOLV Energy CEO, George Hershman.
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and its affiliates focus on developing, acquiring, owning, and operating long-term contracted renewable energy assets across the U.S. Their portfolio includes 69 solar and wind projects with a combined capacity of over eight gigawatts—in operation, under construction, or contracted. DESRI is part of the D. E. Shaw group, a global investment and technology firm with over $60 billion in investment and committed capital as of 2024, with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
I grew up in Deming on a farm, south of town and back then 50s, 60s I could not have imagined solar panels and now, once again, Deming and Luna County are trying something new and innovative. A surprising and delightful development for my hometown.