Navajo Transitional Energy Co LLC
Total capacity of implemented projects
500 - 1000 MW
Countries of projects presence
1
Navajo Transitional Energy Co LLC (NTEC) is a coal mining company based in the United States that has recently expanded its operations into the solar renewable project development sector. NTEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Navajo Nation, a sovereign Native American tribe that spans across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The company was formed in 2013 to acquire the Navajo Mine, a coal mine located on the Navajo Nation, from BHP Billiton. Since then, NTEC has become one of the largest coal producers in the western United States, supplying coal to power plants in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
However, in recent years, NTEC has recognized the need to diversify its energy portfolio and reduce its reliance on coal. The company has set a goal to generate 10% of its revenue from renewable energy by 2030. To achieve this goal, NTEC has entered the solar renewable project development sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years due to declining costs and increasing demand for clean energy.
NTEC's first foray into the solar renewable project development sector was in 2019 when it acquired a 7.5% stake in the Kayenta Solar Project, a 27-megawatt (MW) solar farm located on the Navajo Nation. The project was developed by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and began commercial operations in 2017. The Kayenta Solar Project provides clean energy to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, and the revenue generated from the project supports economic development initiatives on the Navajo Nation.
Following the success of the Kayenta Solar Project, NTEC has since expanded its solar renewable project development portfolio. In 2020, the company announced a partnership with Utah-based solar developer sPower to develop a 200 MW solar farm on the Navajo Nation. The project, known as the Cameron Solar Project, will be one of the largest solar farms in the western United States and will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 60,000 homes. The Cameron Solar Project is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation and will provide a significant source of revenue for the Navajo Nation.
NTEC's entry into the solar renewable project development sector has been met with some skepticism from environmental groups and community members who are concerned about the company's history of coal mining and its impact on the environment and public health. However, NTEC has emphasized its commitment to responsible development and has stated that its renewable energy projects will be developed in a way that respects the environment and benefits the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
In addition to its solar renewable project development efforts, NTEC has also invested in other renewable energy technologies. In 2020, the company announced a partnership with NuScale Power to explore the development of small modular nuclear reactors on the Navajo Nation. Small modular nuclear reactors are a promising technology that could provide a reliable source of clean energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership between NTEC and NuScale Power will explore the feasibility of developing a small modular nuclear reactor on the Navajo Nation.
Overall, NTEC's entry into the solar renewable project development sector is a significant step towards diversifying its energy portfolio and reducing its reliance on coal. The company's solar projects will provide clean energy to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, create jobs, and support economic development initiatives. While there are concerns about the company's history of coal mining, NTEC has emphasized its commitment to responsible development and has stated that its renewable energy projects will be developed in a way that benefits the environment and the Navajo Nation.