Intermountain takes giant green step with power from Emery solar plant

D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) has begun commercial operation of its Castle Solar Farm near Huntington in Emery County. Approximately half of the facility’s 40-megawatt capacity has been contracted to Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health.

The solar complex will also supply power to PacifiCorp and the University of Utah.

Intermountain said the opening of the Castle Solar Farm represents a major advancement in its sustainability efforts. The plant will provide power for several Intermountain hospitals, clinics and other facilities and result in a cost savings of more than $500,000 annually, the company said. Intermountain said its power-purchase commitment will produce enough electricity to offset the total annual usage of 17 Intermountain Health facilities, including nine hospitals, and will supply the healthcare giant with renewable electricity for the next 20 years.

“This is one of the biggest sustainability investments we’ve ever made, and we will be seeing benefits for decades to come,” said Eric Liston, vice president of clinical services for Intermountain Health. “By making a cleaner environment in the communities that we serve, Intermountain is helping our patients live the healthiest lives possible.”

Liston said hospitals use large amounts of electricity due to the number of services and equipment that are operated 24/7, year-round. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided by Intermountain switching to solar is the equivalent of removing 6,400 cars from the road, he said.

“Castle Solar marks the third project that DESRI has constructed in Emery County,” said Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI. “Our team is thrilled that Castle is now delivering renewable energy to PacifiCorp, the University of Utah and Intermountain Health. Despite supply chain constraints in the past few years, we are glad to continue to deliver new projects for our partners.”

Rocky Mountain Power will provide the transmission to the grid for the electricity generated at the solar plant.