The collaboration between NNSA and Los Alamos County brings carbon-free solar energy to national laboratories in New Mexico, supporting federal sustainability goals and promoting clean energy industries.
NNSA and Los Alamos County Partner on Major Carbon-Free Energy Project
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced a partnership with Los Alamos County to supply its two New Mexico national laboratories with solar energy. The energy will come from the County’s new Foxtail Flats solar and storage project, set to be operational by March 1, 2026.
This project marks the largest-ever procurement of carbon-pollution-free electricity (CFE) for the NNSA, advancing federal sustainability goals. The Foxtail Flats Solar and Storage Project will provide 170 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and 320 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage. The energy will benefit Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and Kirtland Air Force Base.
President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan aims for 100% CFE for federal operations by 2030. The Foxtail Flats project supports this by offering carbon-free power at a fixed price over a 20-year term, utilizing lands from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, private owners, and the State of New Mexico.
Key participants in the project include NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby, White House Council on Environmental Quality Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock, and Los Alamos County Utilities Manager Philo Shelton. The project aims to lower electricity costs, replace coal-generated power, and contribute to CFE goals, creating jobs and promoting clean energy industries.
