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Cumberland County has given the green light to Hecate Energy’s ambitious plan for the Cumberland Solar Facility, a 150-megawatt renewable energy project poised to significantly impact Virginia’s energy landscape.
Following a pivotal vote on March 12, the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors granted approval for Hecate Energy to proceed with the development of the Cumberland Solar Facility. With an estimated investment of $200 million, this private infrastructure endeavor is set to unfold on nearly 1,000 acres within the Cartersville community of Northern Cumberland County.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Preston Schultz, lead project developer for the Cumberland Solar Facility, emphasized the project’s alignment with broader objectives of fostering economic growth and energy self-sufficiency within the region.
The Cumberland Solar Facility is anticipated to be a catalyst for job creation, with projections indicating the generation of 150 local positions during the construction phase. Additionally, the project aims to inject $25 million in direct onsite wages into the local economy.
Scheduled to commence construction in 2028 and reach commercial operation by 2030, the 150 MW solar farm is poised to supply over 300,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually. This output is expected to power more than 37,500 average households in Virginia, while simultaneously offsetting approximately 138,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year equivalent to eliminating emissions from over 30,000 passenger vehicles annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Hecate Energy anticipates further progress on the regulatory front, with Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality expected to issue a permit for the project’s development by 2024 or early 2025.
The approval of the Cumberland Solar Facility marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions for Central Virginia, promising tangible economic benefits and environmental gains for the region and beyond. |
