New Mexico's utility regulators have agreed to halt all coal-fired energy generation by 2031. The decision is the latest in a series of steps taken by state officials and utilities that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants. The energy generation capacity is likely to be replaced by a combination of solar power and natural gas, making PNM close to 70% emissions free by 2032, while allowing it to shift from expensive, fixed-cost coal schemes towards more load-flexible plans.
New Mexico's utility regulators have agreed to halt all coal-fired energy generation by 2031. The Integrated Resource Plan, initially proposed by the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), recommends the closure of the 847 MW San Juan coal plant by 2022 as well as winding up its ownership stake in the Four Corners coal plant by 2031. The energy generation capacity is likely to be replaced by a combination of solar power and natural gas, making PNM close to 70% emissions free by 2032, while allowing it to shift from expensive, fixed-cost coal schemes towards more load-flexible plans.