Avangrid Joins Forces with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority for 1 GW of Clean Energy Projects

American clean energy firm Avangrid and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) have entered into an agreement for the development of up to 1 GW of clean energy in the US. The projects in green energy are to be set up in the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona.

NTUA claims to be the largest multi-utility enterprise that is owned as well as operated by a Native American tribe. The partnership between it and the firm will pave the way for study on the viability of the development of wind and solar projects. Battery storage will also be looked into. At the same, it will also lead create new jobs, usher economic development for the Navajo Nation, while also offering renewable energy for its residents and providing business opportunities to firms in its wake.

“We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with the NTUA, which allows us to join efforts to study and develop green energy projects with the potential of bringing important benefits to the region,” said Chief Executive of Avangrid Pedro Azagra. “Partnerships like these reflect our steadfast commitment to making a meaningful, positive impact in the lives of the families in the communities where we are present.”

“NTUA Generation has been working diligently to explore renewable energy development opportunities on the Navajo Nation with the promise of new jobs and clean green energy,” informed NTUA general manager Walter Haase. “We do believe the partnership we have with AVANGRID will advance clean green energy development on the Navajo Nation and will help provide benefits to the communities served by NTUA,” he opined while adding, “We look forward to the progress this partnership will bring.”

Navajo Nation President Nygren shared, “The Navajo Nation appreciates Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s efforts in the clean energy generation space. As a wholly owned entity of the Navajo Nation, the utility’s tenacity and development of partnerships shows what can be accomplished. As part of this partnership, Avangrid and NTUA will explore how projects could benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act.” US Senator Martin Heinrich said, “This partnership is transformative and exactly what the Inflation Reduction Act was intended to encourage.” He further hoped, “Avangrid and Navajo Nation’s commitment to explore opportunities together to build clean energy projects will create new revenue streams and lower energy costs for New Mexicans. I hope to see many more innovative partnerships in the coming months and years.”

Recently, Iberdrola-owned renewable energy firm Avangrid announced that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with social media platform Meta that will procure renewable energy from 240 MW True North Solar Farm. Avangrid held that the solar farm is currently under development in Falls County, Texas. It is also the first solar facility of the firm in the state.