Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative and Origis Energy Announce New 27.5 MWAC Solar Power Project

Ripley Solar to help SMECO fulfill its state mandated renewable
portfolio standards

HUGHESVILLE, Md. & MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Solar–Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) and Origis Energy USA
today announced the parties have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement
(PPA) to develop the new Ripley Solar 27.5 MW_AC facility to
be constructed on Ripley Road in La Plata, Maryland. The solar facility,
developed by Origis Energy, is expected to reach full commercial
operation by mid-2019. SMECO will purchase all generated energy,
capacity and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) for the next 25
years, helping the electric co-op to fulfill its state mandated
renewable portfolio obligation at the lowest cost to its members.

Pending approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission and local
permitting, the solar facility will be located on 300 acres in Charles
County. The Origis Energy preliminary design calls for the use of single
axis tracking technology and approximately 86,000 thin film solar panel
modules. Construction will include the building of a short transmission
line from the solar power site to the nearest substation. The project
will create approximately 150 jobs during construction, which is
anticipated to start in early 2019.

SMECO worked with the National Renewables Cooperative Organization
(NRCO) to develop a request for proposals and evaluated approximately 20
submissions before selecting Origis Energy. According to Austin J.
Slater, Jr., SMECO’s president and CEO, “Ripley Solar is the third solar
project that NRCO has facilitated for SMECO, and their expertise has
been invaluable. Developing solar projects right here in our service
area gives us a couple of advantages. Not only are we able to procure
renewable energy to help meet state requirements, but we are also able
to avoid costly transmission fees.”

Slater added, “We’re looking forward to partnering with Origis Energy on
Ripley Solar. The amount of solar energy this project will produce
nearly doubles SMECO’s current solar capacity.” Ripley Solar is expected
to generate roughly 56,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) during its first year of
operation, enough to power about 3,600 homes annually. An average SMECO
household uses 1,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month and 15,600 kWh per
year.

“By purchasing more renewable energy, SMECO is demonstrating
environmental leadership, sustainable energy generation responsibility
and facilitating grid reliability,” said Guy Vanderhaegen, Chief
Executive Officer and President of Origis Energy. “We are most pleased
to help SMECO provide its customers with clean, solar generated energy
for many years to come.”

Purchasing solar energy is one way SMECO works to fulfill its renewable
portfolio obligation, as required by the state, at the lowest costs to
its members. Utilities are obligated to purchase 1.15 percent of their
load from solar energy resources in 2017; that percentage increases each
year until reaching 2.5 percent by 2020. Utilities that don’t purchase
the required amount of solar energy must pay a penalty.

About SMECO – The Cooperative Difference

Eighty years ago, when rural areas needed electricity, cooperatives were
created. Visionary men and women helped to form SMECO, which now
provides electric service to more than 160,000 customers in Charles
County, St. Mary’s County, southern Prince George’s County, and most of
Calvert County.

Co-ops are distinctly different from investor-owned utilities because
co-ops are owned by their customers. Customer-members elect the men and
women who serve on the Board of Directors. They share the responsibility
of ownership by financing the cooperative’s operations, but they also
share its rewards.

Each year, SMECO’s margins—revenue less expenses—are allocated to
customers’ capital credit accounts. SMECO uses margins as working
capital for new construction and system improvements. Then, when the
Board determines that the financial condition of the co-op warrants,
members receive a refund.

As a cooperative, SMECO will always put its members first and be
responsive, reliable, and resourceful—the power you can count on.

About Origis Energy

Origis Energy is Powering the Solar Revolution^SM with custom
clean energy solutions for utility, commercial and public sector
clients. The Origis team has worked to ensure the interests of all
stakeholders are upheld in more than 100 projects worldwide totaling
600+ megawatts to date of developed solar capacity. Headquartered in
Miami, FL, Origis Energy USA delivers excellence in solar project
development, financing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)
and operations, maintenance and asset management for investors and clean
energy consumers across Europe and the Americas. For more information,
visit the company online at www.origisenergy.com.

About National Renewables Cooperative Organization

Formed in 2008 by 21 cooperatives, the NRCO aims to increase access to
cost-effective renewable energy resources for electric cooperatives
around the country. NRCO provides full origination and development
services for its Owner-Members and cooperative customers, with nearly
one gigawatt of wind and solar projects completed to date including 41
cooperative-run community solar farms. For more information see www.nrco.coop.

Contacts

SMECO
Tom Dennison
301-274-4448 – Office
[email protected]
or
Origis
Energy
Glenna Wiseman
786-693-2624 – Office
909-553-3141
– Cell
[email protected]
or
NRCO
Neil
Fitzharris
317-344-7908 – Office
[email protected]