Hecate Energy gets approval for Cumberland Solar

Hecate Energy, a leading US renewable energy developer, has secured approval for its Cumberland Solar Facility, a 150 MW project in Cumberland County, Virginia. The project, valued at $200 million, was approved by the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors on March 12, promising $14 million in direct payments to the county and significant regional economic benefits. Spanning nearly 1,000 acres in Northern Cumberland County’s Cartersville community, the solar farm aims to begin construction in 2028, with operations scheduled for 2030. Once operational, the plant is planned to generate 300,000 MWh annually, powering 37,500 Virginia households and offsetting 138,800 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality is expected to issue a permit by 2024 or early 2025.