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A Native American tribe that once relied heavily on oil and gas is now preparing to supply clean energy for a new Meta Data Center. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe has begun work on the Foxtail Flats solar project on its land in New Mexico, marking a major shift in long-term energy strategy after years of planning.The project comes at a time when renewable energy developers across the United States face increasing uncertainty. Donald Trump’s administration has ended tax breaks for renewable energy projects, criticized solar and wind power, and tightened the federal approval process for new projects. However, the tribe obtained the permits it needed before the policy changes went into effect.
Over the next 18 months, the project will install solar panels capable of generating 270 megawatts of electricity, along with 180 megawatts of storage batteries.
A portion of the electricity generated will be used to power a new data center that Meta Platforms is building near Albuquerque, New Mexico.For decades, oil and gas development has been one of the tribe’s largest sources of income, at one point contributing more than half of its annual budget. But as revenues declined over the years, tribal leaders began looking for a more stable, long-term source of income.About 15 years ago, the tribe began identifying sites for utility-scale solar projects as the U.S. expanded its support for renewable energy.
Federal grants and technical assistance available at the time helped tribal communities explore large-scale clean energy development and prepare long-range plans.The tribe first invested in rooftop solar before building a one-megawatt solar plant that supplies electricity to its casino. This smaller project helped attract developer interest and laid the foundation for a much larger investment.By 2023, the tribe has identified Foxtail Flats as the site for a utility-scale solar project.
The site gained even greater importance after a nearby coal-fired plant was demolished, leaving behind transmission lines connecting electricity markets across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, California and Texas.The shift toward renewable energy has also come as the tribe struggles with the effects of climate change. Local officials reported that many springs on tribal lands have dried up over the past few decades, raising concerns about water resources and traditional cultural practices.The Foxtail Flats project almost hit another hurdle after changes in federal policy. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed federal permits for wind and solar projects to be routed through his office, adding more layers to the approval process.According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the new permitting process has slowed renewable energy development across the country. The industry body estimates that 36 percent of the electricity generation capacity scheduled to be operational by 2030 may be delayed due to management actions.The Ute Mountain Ute Project avoided those delays because its developers obtained required federal approvals before the new rules took effect. Concerns about financing also eased once the project received the necessary permits.Once complete, the project will provide electricity to public utilities in New Mexico, and one of its customers will be the new Meta data center near Albuquerque.
