UAMPS solar power purchases (Steel Solar 1B and Red Mesa)

Every hearing and vote

1. March 1, 2022 · City Council

   Steel Solar 1B power schedule, Resolution 22-10 (workshop)

   Discussed

   Resource Manager Yuqi Zhao said one member of the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems project dropped out, raising the city's share from 5 megawatts to 5.77. Steel Solar 1B is scheduled to start between May 31 and December 31, 2023, and the Red Mesa project (49 megawatts) slipped to December 31, 2022 because of supply shortages. Action was set for March 15.

2. March 15, 2022 · City Council

   Steel Solar 1B transaction schedule, Resolution 22-10

   Approved · 4-0

   The council approved the schedule under the master firm power supply agreement with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. The project is 40 megawatts shared among eight members, one dropped out, and the city's share rises from 5 to 5.77 megawatts. The city has signed up for three 5-megawatt solar projects to compare them. The minutes record no dollar amount.

   Moved by Council Member Mark Anderson, seconded by Council Member Ernesto López. Vote: 4-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 4 council members present

3. July 19, 2022 · City Council

   Steel Solar 1B transaction schedule, Resolution 22-30

   Approved · 5-0

   Light and Power Director Mark Montgomery said the project price rose from about $23 to $34.66 per megawatt-hour on a 25-year flat price with no battery surcharge, with commercial operation in September 2023 and no later than June 2024. The council approved the schedule.

   Moved by Council Member Ernesto López, seconded by Council Member Amy Anderson. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

4. August 16, 2022 · City Council

   Red Mesa Tapaha solar transaction schedule, Resolution 22-36

   Approved · 5-0

   Light and Power Director Mark Montgomery presented the amended schedule for the 66 megawatt solar project on Navajo Nation land, moving commercial operation from June 2022 to March 2023, with a 25-year term, a fixed $37.00 per megawatt-hour including renewable energy credits, about 30 percent higher development security and delay damages, and a 4.7 percent increase in net annual deliveries.

   Moved by Council Member Amy Anderson, seconded by Council Member Mark Anderson. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

5. October 7, 2025 · City Council

   Workshop: Fremont Solar power purchase agreement, Resolution 25-42

   Discussed

   Light & Power Director Mark Montgomery described a solar project in Iron County under the UAMPS firm power agreement. The city has no battery storage and battery tariffs apply. A transmission study found the project must be doubled in size, a risk the lender accepts. Action was set for October 21.

6. October 21, 2025 · City Council

   Fremont Solar power purchase agreement with UAMPS, Resolution 25-42

   Approved · 5-0

   The council approved a 25-year agreement for 10 megawatts of solar with 5 megawatts of on-site battery storage, in which the city holds a 10.1 percent share. Light & Power Director Mark Montgomery said the Light and Power Advisory Board and the Resource Energy Sustainability Advisory Board favored it.

   Moved by Council Member Mike Johnson, seconded by Council Member Ernesto López. Vote: 5-0 on roll call

7. December 2, 2025 · City Council

   Energy update

   Discussed

   Light & Power Resource Manager Tyson Godfrey reported a 100-megawatt peak load and a power shortfall until April 2026, with the regional day-ahead market going live May 1, 2026. Over three months the mix was 18 percent renewable, 58 percent dispatchable and 25 percent market. Sunnyside coal (5 MW) is permanently offline at no city payment, the Nebo gas plant runs at half capacity until April, and a 10-megawatt Sub 9 generator is targeted for April 2026. New firm resources include Fremont Solar and battery (10 MW solar, 5 MW battery, by December 2027), Millard County peaking (26.25 MW) and Power County gas (15 MW, by 2031). Potential resources include 8 megawatts of lagoon solar, a Cache County solar and storage project denied zoning by the county, and 2 megawatts of geothermal.