Intermountain Health opens solar farm to power its facilities

Jul 29, 2024, 1:32 PM

Castle Solar Farm provides green energy to Intermountain Health facilities. (Intermountain Health) (Intermountain Health)

(Intermountain Health)

BY AMIE SCHAEFFER

Digital Content Producer

HUNTINGTON, Utah — Intermountain Health announced the opening of a solar farm to supply its hospitals and clinics with green energy.

According to Intermountain Health, the project is part of its sustainability efforts.

In a press release, the healthcare company said Castle Solar Farm will produce renewable energy for decades. Additionally, they will save $500,000 annually in energy costs.

The solar farm will generate enough electricity to offset annual costs for 17 Intermountain Health facilities, including nine hospitals. It will be located 140 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

Eric Liston, vice president of clinical services for Intermountain Health said the project is one of the biggest sustainability investments the company has ever made.

“By making a cleaner environment in the communities that we serve, Intermountain is helping our patients live the healthiest lives possible,” said Liston in the release.

Intermountain Health partnered with D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments on the project. The company constructed the solar farm and will own and operate the site.

The benefit of solar farms in healthcare

Hospitals use massive amounts of energy because they operate 24 hours a day. Intermountain Health said the switch to solar will cut greenhouse gas emissions, equal to removing 6,400 cars from the road annually.

“Castle Solar marks the third project that DESRI has constructed in Emery County,” said Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI in the release.

“Our team is thrilled that Castle is now delivering renewable energy to PacifiCorp, the University of Utah, and Intermountain Health. Despite supply chain constraints in the past few years, we are glad to continue to deliver new projects for our partners.”