Workforce of 200 to build field
* Sept. 15: Solar farm coming to Derby
Board of Richmond County Commissioners Chairman Kenneth Robinette and FLS Energy have announced the building of a 67-megawatt solar farm in Derby.
FLS will invest nearly $100 million in solar equipment at this complex. This comes as a result of Duke Energy’s announcement of a $500 million commitment to a major expansion of solar power in North Carolina. The project will require approximately 200 workers to build the solar field.
An FLS Energy photo
An example of the North Carolina company’s utility scale solar wind farm.
“We started FLS Energy in 2006 with a mission of Making Solar Mainstream. The Richmond County project represents the culmination of all of our efforts for these many years. Solar energy has become an economic engine in North Carolina and is creating a permanent workforce of high paying jobs. North Carolina is now looked to as a model of Public Policy working as it was intended. Our solar industry is sustainable and robust and is helping our country on the path to energy security and energy independence,” Dale Freudenberger, CEO of FLS Energy.
“We welcome FLS to Richmond County and look forward to the construction of this major “green energy” project in Derby. We thank FLS and Duke Energy for creating a partnership that helped bring this significant investment to our county,” said Robinette.
Commissioner Thad Ussery stated, “It is good news that FLS has decided to make this substantial investment in Richmond County. Obviously the significant investment made by Duke Energy in transmission lines in the county to support the 3 power plants we currently have (the hydro facility at Blewett Falls, the gas fired Smith Energy Complex and the gas fired NC Electric Membership Corporation power plant) makes Richmond County attractive for additional energy projects like the FLS project in Derby.”
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include Richmond County Economic Development and Duke Energy.
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