January 17, 2025

LRE Unveils 700+ MWac Renewable Projects with Google PPAs

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has announced a significant renewable energy development in Oklahoma. The company is launching over 700 megawatts (MWac) of renewable projects in partnership with Google. This initiative marks a major milestone for both LRE and the renewable energy landscape in the state.

Strategic Renewable Projects to Support Oklahoma's Energy Needs


The centrepiece of the new initiative is the 372 MWac Mayes County Solar Portfolio, located just a mile from Google's data centre in Pryor, Oklahoma. This development is set to provide clean energy directly to the grid, ensuring a reliable power supply for Google’s facilities. In addition to Mayes County, the project includes two other large-scale solar initiatives in Southern Oklahoma which will add another 200 MWac of solar power to the region. These combined efforts bring the total solar capacity to 724 MWac.

LRE acquired the Mayes County Solar Portfolio earlier this year from Red River Renewable Energy, a joint venture between SunChase Power, LLC and Eolian, L.P. The energy generated by these projects will be delivered to the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) under a firm transmission agreement, supporting the operations of Google’s data centre in the region.

These renewable projects are carefully designed to address the growing demand for reliable electricity. They aim to diversify the energy mix, enhance grid stability and increase the resilience of the state's electric grid. By bringing more renewable capacity to Oklahoma, LRE and its partners aim to create a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for the region.

Economic Growth and Community Impact


The Mayes County Solar Portfolio is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the local community. The development will create over 300 construction jobs and is projected to generate $76 million in tax revenue for Mayes County over the lifetime of the projects. This funding will support local schools, infrastructure and other vital county services. In addition, the projects have made over $60,000 in charitable donations to organizations such as the local Red Cross and the Chamber of Commerce, strengthening community resources.

The collaboration between LRE, Google and GRDA underscores the importance of renewable energy projects not only in providing clean power but also in fostering local economic development. By creating jobs and contributing to community initiatives, the projects are poised to make a positive impact in Oklahoma.

Enhancing Google's Clean Energy Commitment


Google's involvement in this renewable energy project aligns with the company’s ambitious goal to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. The power purchase agreements (PPAs) for these projects were facilitated through LEAP™, a process co-developed by Google and LevelTen Energy. LEAP™ aims to streamline the procurement of clean energy, making it easier and more efficient for companies to meet their sustainability goals.

Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google, highlighted the significance of the projects. “These power purchase agreements demonstrate how our scalable procurement approach is transforming the acquisition of clean energy and accelerating the development of carbon-free energy sources,” she said.

These solar projects will generate enough clean energy to power over 865,000 homes annually and prevent the release of over 3.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over the term of the PPA. This represents a significant contribution to Google’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability.

The expansion of renewable projects, such as those in Oklahoma, is a vital part of addressing both local and national energy demands. Through innovative partnerships and strategic development, the renewable energy sector is poised to meet the challenges of the future, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.


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