During the Navajo County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the board discussed a development agreement with SE Cygnus, LLC, for the development and operation of an up to 650-megawatt solar energy facility in Navajo County. The project includes up to 650 MW utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy generation facility that includes a 400 MW battery energy storage system and a 200-foot-long generation tie-in line on 3,721 acres located 10 miles north of Snowflake. Construction is expected to start in 2027 and be operational by 2028.
According to information provided by SE Cygnus, LLC, the preliminary property tax estimates over 35 years, are estimated at $20 million for Holbrook and Snowflake school districts, $5.5 million for Northland Pioneer College, $2.5 million for the Navajo County General Fund, $783,000 for the Flood Control District, $718,000 for the Public Health District, $286,000 for the Library and $158,000 for Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology.
The developer has also agreed to partner with the county to mitigate concerns with a one-time financial contribution of $6 million, with $250,000 to be paid within 30 days (and the remainder to be paid within 270 days.
To date SE Cygnus, LLC, has followed all protocols that include publication of notice going before the Planning & Zoning Commission in December 2024, and a hearing before the Board of Supervisors in January 2025, as well as hosting eight community meetings, and stakeholder interviews.
The developer agreed that perimeter fencing will incorporate wildlife movement corridors and include a 6 to 8-inch gap at the bottom to allow for wildlife movement. It was also agreed that to preserve dark sky characteristics, down-shielded, motion activated light fixtures and nighttime strobe-type lighting will not be used unless specifically required by the FAA.
State law provides incentives intended to encourage the development of renewable energy projects in Arizona. In recent years, a combination of statutory incentives and regional factors has resulted in increased interest in renewable energy development within Navajo County. In response to this interest, the board established a structured review process, informed by public input, to evaluate proposed projects within the county’s land-use authority and applicable state law. The process is intended to assess whether proposed projects are reviewed against the criteria and standards set forth in the county’s ordinances, as well as any additional considerations adopted by the Board to guide project evaluation.
Staff conducted a review of the draft/proposed development agreement with SE Cygnus, LLC in accordance with this process and briefed the board regarding the review and associated legal considerations. The staff review concluded that the development agreement provides meaningful partnership to mitigate community impacts.
Claire Brophy Bellinger with Aztec Land and Cattle spoke as well, urging the board to approve the agreement and project. “It provides tangible benefits to the community.”
The board entered into executive session to discuss the development agreement. Following the executive session, the board authorized Chair Seymore to execute the development agreement “after exhibit E that has to do with decommissioning has been reconciled to the text of the agreement.”
