Geronimo Power has commenced construction at the 150 MW Bee Hollow solar project in St. Clair County, Illinois. The project, situated within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the region through tax revenue, local employment, and spending. It will be developed by Geronimo Power, with the engineering, procurement, and construction undertaken by Burns & McDonnell.
The project has a power purchase agreement in place with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency. The project is scheduled to begin operations by late 2026. Once operational, it is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power around 45,600 homes annually. According to estimates based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies, the project will offset approximately 219,100 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The project is projected to contribute approximately $54 million in direct economic impact to the local community over its operational period. This includes around $17 million in new tax revenue, which will be distributed among the county, township, and local school districts over the first 20 years of operation. The project will also establish a dedicated charitable fund in addition to the tax revenues generated. Additionally, it is anticipated to create up to 200 temporary jobs during the development phase.
