By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg has committed to the Tri-County Energy Consortium that could potentially save the city millions of dollars through a shared solar energy project involving more than 50 schools and municipalities.

The city’s total municipal usage is about 3.7 MW and if things go well the city could be producing 3.4 MW of that power with solar panels. That includes the solar farm being shored up now as well as the consortium power.

Although the consortium finalized it’s membership and executive committee last year, it is now seeking to lock down the schools and municipalities that will commit to a power purchase agreement.

City Manager Sarah Purdy said the best part of about the project is that there will be no costs to the municipalities or schools involved. All investment on the project will provided by the developer selected to build, operate and maintain the farms.

The consortium includes more than 50 municipalities and school districts spanning Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis Counties. Ogdensburg School District is also part of the consortium.

The goal is to produce a total of 70 MW a power, which should be enough to significantly cut costs for all entities involved.

Under the consortium plan, multiple solar farms capable of producing a maximum of 2.2 to 2.5 MW each would generate the power.

The municipalities and schools would be responsible for providing the land for the farms. And Ogdensburg has the space to house at least two facilities. Those leasing land would see additional revenues from those agreements as well.

Although no prices have been negotiated the savings could be substantial for Ogdensburg.

A separate solar power project is expected to save the city $45,000 per year over the next quarter century.

The 1.2 MW solar project will cover 8 acres of land is capable of producing 1.4 million kwh of electricity per year.

A total savings is estimated at more than $1 million over the 25-year period and could be as high as $2 million depending on electricity prices.

Similar and potentially greater savings is expected from the consortium project.