Chugach Electric is moving forward with plans to build what could become Alaska’s largest solar farm. (ADN)
The utility’s board approved up to $26.4M for the 10 MW Beluga Solar Project. A smaller 5 MW option remains under consideration if land or funding hurdles arise. The site would be built next to Chugach’s existing Beluga Power Plant and could begin operating by mid-2027.
Why it matters: Alaska’s Railbelt utilities depend heavily on natural gas, where output is declining. Chugach estimates the larger solar project could offset ~2.8B cubic feet of gas use over 30 years—a modest share of its annual consumption, but a key step toward energy diversification.