INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
EDP Renewables North America and Volt Energy Utility announce solar project with Microsoft
Focused on environmental justice and resiliency building , the move highlights the power of integrating social equity into US energy transition .
EDP Renewables North America and Volt Energy Utility have partnered to launch the development of Hickory Solar Park ( Hickory ), a 110 MWac photovoltaic ( PV ) project located near Jerseyville , Illinois . Microsoft has agreed to purchase electricity and renewable energy credits ( RECs ) for fifteen years from the project , driving action toward the three companies ' shared commitment to an equitable and just transition of the electric power sector .
The agreement for Hickory uses an Environmental Justice PPA ( EJ PPA ) form developed by Microsoft and Volt Energy , a minority-owned renewable energy developer , focused on making clean energy investments in rural and urban communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices – all of whom are behind in securing the benefits of a clean energy economy .
With this EJ PPA , Hickory will contribute funding to enable the Sharing the Power Foundation ( SPF ) to administer funds to mission-aligned programs .
The Hickory project is oriented to focus on ensuring sustainable environmental , social and economic results are achieved .
The project company will purchase and retire carbon offsets proportionate to the emissions generated by its upstream material components and on-site construction and operations impacts as part of a project-level carbon neutrality pledge .
EDPR NA has also committed to ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses serve in prominent leadership roles in project management and construction for Hickory .
“ Aligning efforts with partners who share our passion for implementing equitable strategies contributing to local community growth is front and center of importance to us ,” said Sandhya Ganapathy , CEO , EDPR NA .
“ Together with Microsoft and Volt , we have the opportunity to prioritize people first by creating jobs and opening doors to women and minority-owned businesses who need to be involved in driving a just clean energy future .”
Gilbert Campbell , Founder and CEO , Volt Energy Utility and Foundation Board Chair SPF said :
“ We are excited to continue our work with Microsoft and partner with EDPR NA for the first time to address environmental injustice , invest in clean energy infrastructure and facilitate clean energy and sustainability business pathways for minority-owned entrepreneurs and small businesses , as well as students looking to start a career .”
Kourtney Nelson , Senior Director of Renewable Energy Procurement , Microsoft , said : “ We are pleased to work with EDP Renewables and Volt Energy in reducing our environmental impact and helping under-resourced communities build climate resilience .”
This contract expands on EDPR NA and Microsoft ' s collaboration that started in July 2019 when Microsoft became an offtaker of EDPR NA ' s 125MW Timber Road IV Wind Farm located in Payne , Ohio .
In addition to the Hickory announcement , Microsoft recently executed power purchase agreements at EDPR ' s Wolf Run Solar Park , Illinois and Cattlemen Solar Park II Texas . The projects are currently expected to be operational by the end of 2024 . p
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