CENTRALIA — What used to be the site of a coal mine could turn into one of Washington’s largest solar projects, after energy provider TransAlta unveiled plans for the site.

The Tono Solar project would generate up to 180 megawatts of electricity. It would occupy nearly 1,000 acres on Centralia Mine site in southwest Washington, which closed in 2006.

The Canada-based company is in the process of getting permits from Thurston County before lining up a contract to sell its power, The Centralia Chronicle reported .

TransAlta said the project will boost the local economy while also contributing to “an environmentally friendly electricity future for the state.”

The solar project is the latest in TransAlta’s efforts to move toward renewable energy. The company said last year that it plans to have completely eliminated coal from its portfolio by 2030.