The Blue Jeans Solar Project in Knox County won’t be operational for another two years.

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Knox County Commissioners agreed to a two year extension of an Economic Development Agreement with Arevon Energy.

Arevon Director of Development, Nikki Jeffers, addressed the commissioners asking for the extension because of issues with tariffs and supply chain demand which has delayed the start of construction.

Jeffers explained that Hoosier Energy is no longer the company’s off-taker for the project and Arevon is back out on the market looking for a new a new buyer of their solar product.

She also says Arevon has put out a request for proposals with different engineering, procurement and construction contractors, also known as EPCs , to build the project.

Jeffers says they are looking at two different types of panels….

Jeffers says they are looking for the start of operations to be in 2026.

Jeffers added that they are starting conversations with landowners to talk about extending their leases if they are still interested.

Originally the Blue Jeans Solar Project also known as Ratts 2 started the planning phase in 2020 and was set to start construction in 2022 with a 2023 operation date.

It’s a 150 mega watt project that was said to bring $2.5 million in economic development payments and an estimated $16 million in tax revenue over its lifespan.

Additionally, it was meant to create 188 full-time construction jobs and contribute $1 million annually in lease payments to local landowners.