Gulfport Naval Base

Project Description

The Department of the Navy (DON), Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, Washington Gas Energy, and Hannah Solar partnered on a large-scale solar facility at the Naval Base Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) in Gulfport, MS in 2015. The 4.22 MW installation wrapped up in April of 2017.

The US Navy is committed to reducing their dependence on fossil fuels where it makes economic sense.  The Seabee Naval base in Gulfport MS asked Mississippi Power to help them take several brownfield sites and convert them to greenfields generating solar electric energy.  Hannah Solar was able to deliver the lowest cost project using third party financing to create exactly what all stakeholders required.

The facility will generate more than 3.5 megawatts (MW) of alternating current (AC) power once operational. The Navy’s first utility scale solar array in Mississippi features 12,980 panels, producing enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 450 homes.

Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport (NCBC) is located in the city of Gulfport, Mississippi on the Gulf of Mexico. The area is pro-military and heavily populated with active duty Navy and Air Force personnel as well as Reservists and retirees.

The center supports operating units of the Naval Construction Force and other tenants. The Center prepares for and supports all facets of the mobilization of construction forces including Reserve units.

“This innovative project represents a significant, cost-effective contribution toward the Navy’s forward leaning efforts to improve our national energy resilience through renewables,” said Capt. Paul Odenthal, commanding officer Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport. “It is the result of much hard work and the strong relationship we have with our many community partners. We are happy to be part of this win-win initiative.”