Gulf Power is clearing land for a second solar energy center in Jackson County. Company spokesperson Kimberly Blair says the Blue Springs Solar Energy Center will be able to power 15,000 homes once it's built. It's scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. Right now, Blair says construction teams are getting the site prepared for installing solar energy infrastructure into the ground.
"There's no concrete or asphalt or anything out there. And then in 30 years from now, 25, 30 years from now, if there's no use for this solar center again, we can pull it up, and that land can go back to agriculture and farming or whatever anyone wants to use it for," Blair says.
A third solar energy center is also planned for Jackson County, and two are planned for Calhoun County.