Dominion Virginia Power and Halifax County want to build a demonstration solar power and battery storage plant in the economically stressed locality in Southside Virginia.
The proposed $27.9 million pilot project could mean as many as 150 manufacturing jobs for Halifax while helping the power company meet state renewable energy goals.
The deal depends, however, on the project receiving a $5 million grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, officials said, and State Corporation Commission approval.
"We're optimistic on both," said Dominion Virginia Power spokesman Jim Norvelle, "but they do need to be in place . . . for this to go forward."
"This is a great project," said Mike Sexton, executive director of the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County. Sexton noted the 150 jobs that could be created amount to about 10 percent of the county's current unemployment.
The plant would generate about 4 megawatts of power, starting in 2012. A megawatt can serve about 250 homes.
"We want to demonstrate a utility- scale solar power and battery storage project," Norvelle said. "You need both — you need to be able to use the sun when you need it" to provide customers with electricity.
Dominion has also reached agreement with an undisclosed "green battery" manufacturer to locate a manufacturing plant in rural Halifax, creating up to 150 jobs over three years.
A site for the project has not been selected, officials said.
Using environmentally friendlychemistry, the new battery design significantly reduces cost while increasing efficiency, Dominion Virginia Power and the Industrial Development Authority said in a statement yesterday.
The announcement described the battery company as "a post proof-of-concept battery storage manufacturer."
University of Virginia researchers will work with Dominion and the storage battery manufacturer on a family of battery products, conducting their research in Halifax County.
Building the solar plant would also create about 100 construction jobs. Halifax's unemployment rate was about 11.8 percent in April.
If approved, Dominion anticipates issuing a request for proposals for design and construction of the facility this summer.
Contact Peter Bacqué at (804) 649-6813 or pbacque@timesdispatch.com.
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