By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Wood Duck Solar was approved for a construction certificate by the Kentucky Service Commission on Nov. 14.
In the 50-page order, the commission “conditionally granted” a construction certificate to the solar farm and an “approximately 500-foot unregulated transmission line” subject to certain conditions, such as having any changes in the project’s boundaries reviewed by the Siting Board, submitting an emergency response plan to local emergency management prior to construction and submitting a status report to the board every six months until the project begins electric generation.
This final order allows the 100 megawatt solar farm eyed for portions of Barren County to move forward. Wood Duck Solar is estimated to “generate enough electricity to serve approximately 15,000 homes’ annual electric needs” and cover roughly 2,300 acres in western Barren County, according to the company’s website.
Geenex, which currently owns the planned development, first had the Wood Duck Solar development plan approved by the Joint City-County Planning Commission on Dec 18, 2023. From that time on, members of the Barren County community have voiced their oppositions and support for the project.
On Oct. 2, the Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board hosted a formal hearing at the Public Service Commission’s office in Frankfort that had members of Geenex answer the board’s questions; some Barren County residents also attended the public hearing and voice their strong oppositions to the project.
The full order can be viewed here.
The Barren County Fiscal Court passed a solar farm ordinance in May that would effect the solar project should it extend beyond its current footprint. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said in a letter sent to the Public Service Commission that the county will not use a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement or issue Industrial Revenue Bonds in connection to the Wood Duck Solar project.
Glasgow News 1 has attempted to contact Geenex to obtain a construction timeline but has not heard back at the time of publication. This article will be updated should additional, pertinent information become available.
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