Leaders from the Department of the Navy, Georgia Power and Georgia Public Service Commission held a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 19, to celebrate the official opening of the large-scale solar facility at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay.

Now operational, this 254-acre solar farm contains approximately 133,000 solar photovoltaic panels and can produce up to 42 megawatts of direct current/30 megawatts of alternating current power.

Notable ceremony presenters included Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Mary M. Jackson; SUBASE Kings Bay Commanding Officer Capt. James Jenks; and Georgia Power Senior Vice President of Marketing Kenneth E. Coleman.

"Innovative energy technologies and collaborative relationships are important for the Department of the Navy," said Jackson. "Ensuring our installations have secure, reliable, resilient and affordable energy is critical for continuous operations. Working with an innovator like Georgia Power enables the Department of the Navy to achieve its missions and energy efficiency goals."

In September 2015, Georgia Power broke ground at SUBASE Kings Bay and began construction on the project. Within a year, the facility was completed, online and operational, supplying energy to the local community, including Kings Bay.

This project highlights how collaborating with industry partners like Georgia Power to develop cost-effective, renewable energy can increase the Navy's energy security and operational capability and provide valuable benefits to the local community. The project also helps to diversify Georgia Power's portfolio by adding a new source of generation and further its commitment to renewable energy in the state.

"Within a year, this site on the Georgia coast has been transformed into a state-of-the-art solar facility that will provide energy for our state for years to come," said Norrie McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for Georgia Power. "As we look forward to bringing additional on-base solar facilities on line, we appreciate the Navy's continued partnership and recognition of the importance of this new energy source for our customers, the bases and local communities."

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information on the Navy's Renewable Energy Program Office please visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy/repo/.

For more information on the Navy's energy strategy, visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy/