Chaves County Commissioners approved the special use permit required for construction of a 1,265 megawatt utility-scale solar facility that would power a 300-acre data center and 250-acre storage system for battery energy.

This project is estimated to cost $6 billion, and will be located on the north side of the 700 and 800-block area of West Pearson Road. Zenith Volts Corp., of Cheyenne, WY, has provided a development plan for the location. It is near Lake Arthur and ends at the border between Chaves and Eddy counties on the south end.

This operation's functions would be situated over 8,500 acres of grazing land — excluding the residence and barn of the property owner, Wade Berry.

The reason for the request is to “provide green energy to the county and state … green energy to help meet

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