Sebree Solar II, LLC Seeks Exemption as a Wholesale Generator

Strategic Insights -

Sebree Solar II, LLC has submitted a notice of self-certification to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), seeking to be deemed an exempt wholesale generator (EWG) under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. As a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, a publicly traded company, Sebree Solar II plans to operate a 150 MW solar photovoltaic facility in Henderson County, Kentucky, and sell electric energy at wholesale.

The facility will interconnect to the Big Rivers Electric Corporation transmission system within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) balancing authority area. Sebree Solar II will engage in the sale of electric energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates in the region. The company may also engage in incidental activities, such as trading emission allowances, selling "green" power certificates, and engaging in other activities consistent with EWG precedent.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sebree Solar II, LLC has submitted a notice of self-certification to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking exemption as a wholesale generator.
  • The company plans to operate a 150 MW solar photovoltaic facility in Henderson County, Kentucky, interconnected to the Big Rivers Electric Corporation transmission system within the MISO balancing authority area.
  • Sebree Solar II will engage in the sale of electric energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates in the region.
  • The company may also engage in incidental activities, such as trading emission allowances, selling "green" power certificates, and engaging in other activities consistent with EWG precedent.
  • Sebree Solar II's parent company, NextEra Energy, is a publicly traded company with significant ownership stakes.
  • The facility will satisfy the definition of Eligible Facilities under Section 32(a)(2) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
  • Sebree Solar II has made representations to certify its status as an EWG, including its exclusive engagement in wholesale generation and no retail sales of power.

Statistics:

  • 150 MW: planned capacity of the Sebree Solar II facility.
  • Henderson County, Kentucky: location of the Sebree Solar II facility.
  • Big Rivers Electric Corporation: transmission system that will interconnect with the Sebree Solar II facility.
  • MISO: balancing authority area that includes the Sebree Solar II facility.
  • April 30, 2025: Vanguard reported holding 10.55% of publicly traded shares in NextEra Energy, Inc.
  • 10.55%: percentage of shares held by Vanguard in NextEra Energy, Inc.

Sources:

  • United States of America, FERC, Sebree Solar II, LLC, Docket No. EG25-____-000, NOTICE OF SELF-CERTIFICATION OF EXEMPT WHOLESALE GENERATOR STATUS OF SEBREE SOLAR II, LLC, May 13, 2025.
  • UGI Development Co., 89 FERC P 61,192 (1999).
  • Madison Windpower, LLC, 93 FERC P 61,270 (2000).
  • Quarterly Compliance Filing for Q1 of 2025, Docket No. EC19-57-002, reported by The Vanguard Group Inc. et al. on April 30, 2025.