Duff Solar Battery Storage Project Request Hits a Snag

EDP Renewables, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is constructing the new Duff Solar Park outside of Huntingburg. The company says that they deliver clean energy to both commercial clients and utility companies. Across the United States, EDP manages 58 wind farms and nine solar facilities, making it one of the nation’s leading renewable energy producers. Together, these operations generate enough electricity to power roughly two million homes. The 1200- acre Duff Solar Park project is projected to produce up to 100 megawatts of electricity. 

Duff Solar Park owns a 15-acre parcel located behind Duff Conservation Club. Project Developer Atley Richards said that EDP Renewables is interested in pursuing a future battery storage project in 2028 or 2029. Infrastructure for the possible Duff storage is being built, and EDP would like to subdivide their parcel so that one lot can be retained under Duff Storage, LLC. The subdivision request was submitted but required a 20-foot easement. Due to current infrastructure, EDP cannot meet those requirements as specified by the review committee. The property is an electric subdivision rather than a neighborhood subdivision, and a variance was requested to remove the 20-foot public utility requirements. 

To meet the requirements of the subdivision ordinance, a lot needs to be adjacent to a public right of way, with a specific amount of road frontage. County Highway Engineer Leffert reviewed the request and found that the recorded easement being used for ingress and egress is private. That would landlock the public utilities without public right of way to get access. This would require an additional variance. Since the request requires a dedicated public right of way, it is automatically defined as a major subdivision, requiring approval from the Commissioners. 

As two variances will be required, EDP’s request was not approved at this time. If they can find a way to satisfy the terms of the ordinance, then the two-lot subdivision can be approved. No further action will be taken unless the County Surveyor and County Engineer find that EDP has met the terms of the ordinance. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.witzamfm.com/news 

 - Drew Hasselbring