FAQs

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is a public power utility that has been operating since 1946 with a mission to provide affordable, reliable and environmentally sensitive energy services to its customers.  

As the 12th-largest public power utility in the U.S., OPPD is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and serves just more than 400,000 customers across a 5,000-square-mile service territory. For more information about OPPD, please visit OPPD.com.  

York County, and specifically the K-Junction Solar Project, present the chance to wisely expand our energy generation portfolio. While more details are needed to finalize this project, K-Junction has reached many regulatory milestones necessary for construction and offers all Nebraskans the opportunity to build reliability and resilience to our electric system while keeping costs low.  

York County’s vast farmland, robust corn and ethanol production, and rich history is cherished by all who call it home, and OPPD is planning robust measures to preserve its communities.   

Before construction, many studies and consultations take place to mitigate the impact of any significant construction project, including solar development. Many local, state, and federal stakeholders will be involved in this process to ensure the environment, wildlife, and roads are adequately monitored and maintained. 

Generally, solar power generation itself requires very little water, especially when compared to conventional power generation methods like coal or natural gas. Water usage at a utility-scale solar facility can vary depending on the specific design and operational practices of the facility, however, there are a few common areas where water is used, including for panel cleaning, landscape and vegetation management, and for typical domestic purposes at facilities.

OPPD is committed to designing the project to maintain or complement the existing rural character of York County.  

While solar panels will be visible, we work with neighbors to identify vegetation, trees, and shrubs that achieve adequate visual screening that aligns with the county’s zoning regulations. 

Utility-scale solar facilities are generally very quiet. However, OPPD works to manage and mitigate noise, particularly during the temporary construction phase and from certain operational components.   

A utility-scale solar project is typically designed with a 25-to-30-year lifespan.  

Decommissioning is the process of removing equipment (solar panels, inverters, transformers) and improvements (roads and fences) and returning the land to its prior use when a solar facility is at its end of life.  

This process is paid for by the project owner rather than the landowner or municipality. The project will post security to ensure these activities are planned for and funded. This security is required by the state and is posted before operations begin. The project cannot be permitted without a commitment to cover decommissioning costs. If project land was previously used for agriculture, any topsoil removed or disturbed during the construction, operation or decommissioning of the solar facility will be replaced so the land can be restored for farming. 

OPPD utilizes a mix of energy resources, including natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and landfill gas. Renewable energy offers many benefits, making it an essential part of that energy mix to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy.

Typically, a utility-scale solar project will require 5 to 7 acres per megawatt of nameplate capacity. The land required for the K-Junction Project will depend on the setback requirements established by York County.