AES first submitted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for the Rancho Viejo Solar project to the Santa Fe County Planning Department on January 26, 2023. In response to feedback from project neighbors and stakeholders, as well as the County, AES has updated its project design and site plan a Contact online >>
AES first submitted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for the Rancho Viejo Solar project to the Santa Fe County Planning Department on January 26, 2023. In response to feedback from project neighbors and stakeholders, as well as the County, AES has updated its project design and site plan and submitted a revised CUP application for the project to the county in August 2024.
To view AES updated Conditional Use Permit application and materials on file with Santa Fe County, click here: 2024 New AES PROJECT APPLICATIONS | Santa Fe County.
The AES team has worked closely with the Santa Fe community over the past two years. We''ve listened to the questions, concerns and suggestions from project neighbors, community stakeholders and the county. As a result, we''ve made changes to our project plan to ensure that AES'' Rancho Viejo Solar project reflects our commitment to being a good neighbor while delivering a safe and beneficial clean energy project to the community.
To apply for a Conditional Use Permit, Santa Fe County requires project applicants to host a pre-application neighborhood meeting. Most recently, AES hosted a Pre-application Neighborhood Meeting on Aug. 22, 2024, to review the updated CUP application and provide neighbors and local communities with the latest information on the Rancho Viejo project.
Over the last two years, AES has also hosted two in-person and one virtual meeting, giving notice to adjacent property owners via US Mail, email notification and published a half-page advertisement in the Santa Fe New Mexican, inviting the public to attend. Neighborhood meetings took place at the Turquoise Trail Charter School on August 3 and October 4, 2022. AES also hosted a virtual meeting on January 4, 2023. A video of the most recent pre-application neighborhood meeting, along with AES'' presentation about the updated project plan, can be viewed in the Project Updates section above
The project will be set-back a minimum of 1,000 ft from any adjacent property boundary, nearly 2,000 ft from the nearest residence in San Marcos and 1.3 miles from the nearest residence in El Dorado; the BESS installation will be located approximately 1.5 miles from the closest residence.
At the end of the project''s life, a decommissioning plan outlines the responsibilities and methods for full project infrastructure removal and site restoration.
The decommissioning bond, Letter of Credit or Parent Guaranty will be held in the County''s name and will be reviewed to ensure it satisfies current market cost to decommission project
We believe in being a good neighbor, ensuring responsible clean energy development that benefits both the environment and local communities without burdening existing infrastructure.
At AES, safety is our highest priority. This includes the safety for our workers, our partners and contractors, and the people in the communities we serve. AES pioneered utility-scale energy storage technology, and we''ve have been operating a global fleet of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for nearly two decades.
AES'' BESS projects are designed and tested to meet all the latest applicable codes and standards, including NFPA 855 and UL9540. The Rancho Viejo project will be equipped with advanced safety monitoring and management systems to ensure that risks associated with the installation and operation of the battery system are addressed and mitigated. These safety features include fire suppression at the individual battery cell level and active exhaust ventilation and deflagration vents to prevent the buildup of combustible gases in the enclosure.
AES is also working closely with the Santa Fe County Fire Department during the Rancho Viejo solar project''s development to implement robust safety measures for the design, construction, testing, and operation of the facility. AES is committed to providing the appropriate training to the fire department prior to commercial operation and throughout the operational lifetime of the project.
At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate. That''s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, elected officials and other key stakeholders to see how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development.
AES has partnered with Sante Fe-based nonprofit, YouthWorks, and donated funds that will allow 10 students to attend solar installation training courses to prepare them for the PV Associates exam and a career in the renewable energy industry. Since 2001, YouthWorks has served thousands of youth while expanding youth development opportunities that include youth advocacy, high-impact interventions, alternative education, and employment connections for young people.
AES has partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI), a nationally leading solar training and educational non-profit, to provide solar workforce development training in New Mexico. As part of that effort, AES has created an AES-funded scholarship, which provides financial assistance to 15 New Mexico residents to cover solar education tuition fees.
The partnership with SEI also includes services for colleges and universities to provide career development consulting for the future solar industry workforce. These efforts aim to stimulate participation in New Mexico''s clean energy future.
In our continuing effort to advance renewable energy initiatives and create new economic opportunities on tribal lands, AES, along with the GRID Alternatives Tribal Program, have teamed up with the Pueblo of Santa Ana in New Mexico to install a rooftop solar system on the Pueblo''s Tamaya Wellness Center.
The Pueblo of Santa Ana has long been committed to preserving its cultural heritage and protecting the natural environment. By partnering with AES and Grid Alternatives, the Pueblo of Santa Ana is meeting its commitment to transition to clean energy and create local job opportunities while fostering the environmental and economic well-being of its members.
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