Navy working to bring solar power to NAS JAX, community

The United States Navy is working to finalize a deal with an energy utility build a solar farm on land at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, to provide efficient renewable energy for the base and the community.

The deal between the Navy and the unnamed utility would develop 50 acres of the Yellow Water Creek property. An environmental assessment determined the project would not have a significant impact on the area.

Sue Brink, a spokesperson for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, estimates an agreement between the Navy and a developer will be complete within the next two weeks.

“The solar project would benefit both the local community and the Navy, brining renewable energy to the area and energy security with it being on Navy property,” Brink told WOKV.

The goal of the Secretary of the Navy is to have half of shore-based operations powered through alternative sources by 2020. While there is no exact timeline for this project, with an agreement still needing to be finalized, the Navy wants to produce 1 gigawatt of electricity by the end of 2016.

Following the completion of developer agreement, it will take 4-6 weeks for Navy officials in Washington to approve the deal.

“Energy is very huge in saving money and trying to change the culture of, not only the Navy family members, but those in the community in finding ways to save money through new energy technology,” Brink said.

Once finished, the project will be able to produce approximately 5 megawatts of electricity for the developer’s existing grid.

Pictured is a current project going on at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.