SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed an agreement with Pluma Solar Alamogordo, LLC for a new community solar project on state lands in Otero County following a public auction. It is the tenth lease for a community solar project on state lands that Commissioner Garcia Richard has issued from the initial batch of 45 statewide community solar projects approved by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission in 2023. The project is expected to bring in at least $2 million for Eastern New Mexico University and will generate 5 megawatts of solar power, enough to serve about 1,250 to 1,500 homes in New Mexico, including in the Alamogordo area, when operating at full capacity. Holloman Air Force base is located approximately a quarter-mile west of the site.
“Community solar is all about bringing clean, affordable energy directly to the homes of New Mexicans. This is an example of the positive impact state lands can have on the everyday lives of real people,” said Commissioner Garcia Richard. “In many cases, community solar makes it possible to access renewable energy for those who may not be able to afford rooftop solar installations or be able to access renewables in other ways. I’m thrilled that state lands can help bring the benefits of renewable energy to residents directly. We are experiencing a clean energy revolution and every New Mexican deserve to come along for the ride. While this project completes our first batch of community solar projects, our team is already looking for more opportunities to bring solar directly to New Mexico homes. With each new community served, New Mexico gets one step closer to becoming a national leader in renewable energy.”
In September 2024, Commissioner Garcia Richard approved the first-ever community solar project on state trust lands on 80 acres in Valencia County. She has since issued nine additional community solar leases, including the project announced today. The projects help advance the state’s efforts to expand access to renewable energy for consumers statewide following the passage of the Community Solar Act in 2021.
Commissioner Garcia Richard created the first-ever Office of Renewable Energy within the Commercial Resources Division at the State Land Office with the goal of tripling renewable energy leasing and production on state trust lands. The Office has far exceeded initial expectations, as renewable energy on state lands has increased more than seven-fold since its inception. When Commissioner Garcia Richard assumed office, there were 400 megawatts of renewable energy under lease on state lands. After today’s auction, there are now approximately 3,050 megawatts of wind and solar energy under lease. In addition, there are now 53 renewable energy leases at the state land office, up from 12 when Commissioner Garcia Richard took office in 2019.
Click here to view maps of solar and wind projects on state lands.
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has earned more than $11 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.