DESRI, in partnership with Cleco Power, today announced that construction has begun on the 240-megawatt (MWac) Dolet Hills Solar Project (Dolet Hills or the Project) in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, after achievement of full notice to proceed.
“The start of construction at Dolet Hills marks an important milestone for DESRI and for the region,” said Hy Martin, Chief Development Officer at DESRI. “By repurposing the interconnection rights from a retired generating facility, this project adds new, cost-effective clean energy to serve Cleco Power’s customers. We’re proud to support economic growth with our local community benefit programs and meet the business needs of the Gulf region’s growing economy. We are especially thankful to DeSoto Parish and the City of Mansfield who have supported the project throughout its many years in development.”
“This project is an important step forward in Cleco Power’s strategy to add solar energy to complement our generation portfolio and offer our customers renewable energy options,” said Bill Fontenot, President and CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings, LLC. “Partnering with DESRI helps us deliver on our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint while continuing to provide safe, clean energy to the communities we serve.”
Dolet Hills has a 25-year power purchase agreement with Cleco Power. The Project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 50,000 Louisiana homes and businesses each year. Customers interested in solar energy will be able to participate through Cleco Power’s Green Option Solar program, the company’s new green tariff.
Dolet Hills is DESRI’s first construction project in Cleco Power’s service territory and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027.
Financing for the construction of the Project was arranged by Key-Banc Capital Markets and provided by KeyBank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada, The Korea Development Bank and Regions Bank.
Primoris Renewable Energy will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the Project and will also provide ongoing operations and maintenance services once the Project is operational.
About DESRI DESRI and its affiliates develop, acquire, own, and operate longterm contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI’s portfolio of contracted, operating, and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes 70 solar and wind projects representing more than ten gigawatts of aggregate capacity. For more information about DESRI, visit www.desri.com.
About Cleco Power Cleco Power LLC, a subsidiary of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC, is a regulated electric utility company that owns eight generating units with a rated capacity of 2,676 MWs and serves approximately 295,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana. For more information about Cleco Power, visit www.cleco. com.