BrightNight and Cordelio Power have announced the commercial operation of their Box Canyon solar plant, with an installed capacity of 300 megawatts, located in Pinal County, Arizona, in the United States. This project, developed in partnership with the Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA), represents the largest renewable energy acquisition ever made by this regional public organisation. The Box Canyon project also marks the commissioning of the first asset from the 2.5-gigawatt energy portfolio jointly owned by BrightNight and Cordelio Power in Arizona. The facility is located approximately ten kilometres north of Florence, a central town in Pinal County.
Major financing and partnerships
Alongside commercial operations, BrightNight and Cordelio Power finalised a major financial transaction including tax equity investment in partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co., through a dedicated affiliate, and Capital One, N.A. All initial construction financing has also been converted into a long-term loan. This complex financial model, involving major players in the banking sector, underscores the growing interest among financial institutions for large-scale solar projects in the United States.
The project is expected to generate more than 915,000 megawatt-hours annually, responding to increasing energy demands in a region experiencing rapid industrial and technological growth. According to Dennis Delaney, SPPA Project Manager, this achievement meets the budget and timeline objectives set by the agency, helping to stabilise the region’s electricity supply in the long term.
Significant local economic impact
An economic study conducted by Elliott Pollack and Associates reveals that the construction of the Box Canyon project generated $47mn in direct economic impacts for Pinal County while creating over 300 jobs in the United States. Throughout the projected operational period, additional local economic benefits are estimated at $134mn, bringing total economic contributions to over $180mn.
Furthermore, the facility is projected to generate around $65mn in land lease payments to the Arizona Land Trust throughout its operating life, benefiting notably the state’s education and hospital sectors. The project also includes a social dimension through a specific scholarship programme designed to finance the education of 50 students enrolled in Central Arizona College’s electrician programme over five years.
A strategic regional contribution
According to Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight, this plant demonstrates the company’s rapid development capabilities. Built in only fifteen months, the Box Canyon project represents a significant example of integrating large-scale renewable energy solutions into regions experiencing rapid industrial growth.
