EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) and Volt Energy Utility have recently announced a 110 MW solar project in Illinois, sponsored by software giant Microsoft Corp. The partnership is commencing the development of Hickory Solar Park near Jerseyville, Illinois. Microsoft and Volt Energy have designed an environmental justice power purchase agreement (EJ PPA) form, and Microsoft will purchase power and renewable energy credits (RECs) from the project for a period of 15 years.
The agreement expands on the partnership between Microsoft and EDPR NA, which was initiated in 2019 when Microsoft signed on as an offtaker for the 125 MW Ohio Timber Road IV wind farm. According to the statement, in addition to Hickory, Microsoft also recently signed PPAs at EDPR’s 140 MW Wolf Run solar park in Illinois and 150 MW Cattlemen solar park II in Texas.
Volt Energy is a minority-owned renewable energy developer that engages in both urban and rural areas affected by environmental injustice. Meanwhile, EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), its affiliates, and its subsidiaries have 60 wind farms, 13 solar parks, and eight regional offices across North America. The company has developed more than 10 GW and operates more than 9 G of onshore utility-scale renewable energy projects.
REGlobal’s Views: Microsoft is a large corporate purchaser of renewable power and is continuing to expand its renewables portfolio as it moves towards its net zero goals. Like Microsoft, large tech corporations which consume massive energy to power their operations, are now accelerating their energy transition plans and rapidly switching to renewable energy sources. This not only helps them reach their decarbonisation targets, but provides them with a more affordable and secure energy source.
