Groundbreaking Solar Installation to Make Hazardous Waste Treatment Plant Net Zero
Veolia North America, a prominent provider of environmental solutions in the U.S. and Canada, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Today’s Power, Inc. The collaboration is set to bring a five-megawatt (MW) single-axis tracking solar energy system to Veolia’s hazardous waste treatment facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas. This solar array is poised to generate an impressive 250 million kilowatt hours over the next 25 years, establishing the Gum Springs plant as the first of its kind in the U.S. to produce as much power as it consumes annually.
The solar facility is scheduled to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2024. It will primarily fulfill the facility’s daily energy demands, with any surplus electricity feeding into the regional grid, achieving a net-zero output.
Beyond its energy impact, this project represents a significant step towards decarbonization, with an estimated reduction of 105,000 tons of carbon emissions over the next 25 years. This is equivalent to providing electricity for approximately 25,000 residential homes. Veolia is taking additional measures to enhance environmental sustainability at the Gum Springs facility, including plans to reforest around 1,500 acres surrounding the property to sequester carbon emissions, preserve local habitats, and prevent erosion.
Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services division, stated, “This investment to bring clean, renewable power to our Gum Springs operation is a reflection of Veolia North America’s commitment to environmental sustainability and leading the ecological transformation.”
Today’s Power, Inc. will play a pivotal role in this endeavor, as they will build and operate the 5MW solar facility in collaboration with Veolia and South Central Electric Cooperative. Derek Dyson, CEO/President of Today’s Power, Inc., expressed their pleasure in working with Veolia and the cooperative, anticipating a strong partnership.
Veolia’s presence in Gum Springs has grown, with 136 employees currently working at the facility, up from 61 employees in 2020 when the company began operating in Clark County. The company expects to employ over 200 people at Gum Springs by 2025.
In preparation for the installation of the new solar panels, Veolia cleared a 30-acre lot near the facility. The timber harvested from this clearing, comprising more than 4,300 tons of mixed hardwood and pine timber, will be repurposed for building materials to further sequester carbon. This multifaceted project showcases Veolia’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.