Navajo utility and government officials will break ground on a large-scale solar project on April 23, “an important next step in the development of a green economy for the Navajo Nation,” said Walter Haase, general manager of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority.

“We are ready to break ground,” spokeswoman Deenise Becenti said. “The work on the project has continued to progress toward this day. The contractor is in place and we are ready to begin on this first-ever large-scale solar project on the Navajo Nation.”

The utility authority in December struck a two-year agreement with Tempe-based utility Salt River Project to build the large-scale solar farm in Kayenta, Ariz. When completed, it will deliver 27.5 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy, which represents progress on the Navajo Nation’s renewable energy efforts, according to a news release.

The project will offer “some of the lowest” consumer electric rates in the region, the release states.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said tribal officials are excited about increased power supply with a renewable energy component.

“The Navajo Nation is excited about the impressive future and arrangement that (Salt River Project) and NTUA have forged and the opportunity that the Navajo people will be given to receive a significant portion of their energy with solar resources,” Begaye said in the release.

The project, to cover more than 300 acres, will provide energy to Navajo communities served by substations in Kayenta and Longhouse Valley, according to the release.

Haase said the temporary jobs might offer some relief to laid-off miners.

“As the primary utility on Navajo, it was important NTUA take the lead on establishing a large-scale renewable project on the Navajo Nation,” Hasse said.

• [Editor:tianyawei]