In a significant boost to Oklahoma’s clean energy sector, Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has announced a partnership with Google to develop a 724 MWac portfolio of new solar projects. Backed by power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the tech giant, this initiative directly supports Google’s ambitious goal to operate its global facilities on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.
Strategic Location and Grid Integration
The portfolio features three large-scale solar facilities, with the 372 MWac Mayes County Solar Portfolio serving as a key component. Strategically located just a mile from Google’s data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, this project is designed for maximum efficiency. LRE acquired the Mayes County development from Red River Renewable Energy, a joint venture between SunChase Power, LLC and Eolian, L.P. To ensure seamless power delivery, LRE has secured a firm transmission agreement with the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), which will integrate the clean energy into the grid to power Google’s regional operations.
Economic Stimulus and Community Investment
The development is projected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the region. The Mayes County projects alone are expected to create over 300 jobs during the construction phase and generate an estimated $76 million in tax revenue for the county over their lifetime. This revenue will provide critical funding for local schools, infrastructure, and other essential public services. Further demonstrating its commitment to the community, LRE has already contributed over $60,000 to local organizations, including the Red Cross and the Chamber of Commerce.
Innovative Procurement for a Carbon-Free Future
The agreements were facilitated using LEAP™, an accelerated procurement process co-developed by Google and LevelTen Energy to streamline the acquisition of clean energy. Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google, highlighted the importance of this model, stating, “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.”
Once operational, the 724 MWac portfolio will generate enough electricity to power more than 865,000 homes annually. The projects will also prevent over 3.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over the term of the PPA, marking a significant contribution to both corporate sustainability targets and the diversification of Oklahoma’s energy mix.
Sources
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