A $260 million solar project opening near Roswell will have the capacity to provide enough power for more than 40,000 homes.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports (http://bit.ly/2dWX9De) the 1,400-acre solar project is the biggest in the state.
Xcel Energy will purchase power from the Roswell and Chaves County Solar Energy Centers under a 25-year contract with project builder NextEra Energy.
Five people are going to work at the centers full-time.
Xcel Energy New Mexico and Texas president David Hudson said the company is expanding energy from renewable sources. He said he sees projects like the solar facility as the future.
NextEra Energy Resources executive director Jim Shandalov said construction took a year and led to 300 jobs.
___
Information from: Carlsbad Current-Argus, http://www.currentargus.com/
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.