MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
National Grid Renewables announced the start of commercial
operation for its Prairie Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf),
located in Coles County, Illinois.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) located project
boasts 200 megawatts (MW) of clean solar power and is contracted
through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Cargill.
Prairie Wolf utilizes next-generation Series 6 thin film solar
modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR)
and was constructed by SOLV Energy, formerly known as Swinerton
Renewable Energy.
At the peak of construction, Prairie Wolf employed approximately
300 onsite workers. During operation, in addition to new onsite
operations and maintenance jobs, Prairie Wolf will benefit local
and statewide economies through the production of millions of
dollars in new tax revenue and landowner income.
"With the start of operations at the Prairie Wolf Solar site,
National Grid Renewables continues to deliver upon its commitment
to repower America with clean, economically beneficial renewable
energy," commented David Reamer,
Head of Development, US Onshore Renewables for National Grid
Renewables. "Thank you to our project customer and partners, as
well as the community members, who supported Prairie Wolf and
enabled enormous benefit to the local economy and farming
community."
Announced earlier this year, Prairie Wolf will also fund a
charitable Education Fund for the local school district. "This
development will benefit the county in many ways, including
donations through grants to organizations and schools throughout
the county," commented Stan Metzger,
Coles County Board Member.
Using the United States'
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) greenhouse gas
equivalencies calculator, Prairie Wolf is projected to offset
carbon dioxide emissions by 285,000 metric tons annually during
operations.
"Cargill is committed to mitigating the pressing issue of
climate change and its impacts on our global food system. One of
the ways we are doing this is by financially participating in
renewable energy sources, such as the Prairie Wolf Solar Project,"
stated Eric Hoegger, Director,
Global Renewable Energy for Cargill. "Not only will the Prairie
Wolf Solar Project play a vital role in helping us reduce our
greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to the renewable
economy, we're also honored to contribute to the positive impact it
will have on the Coles county
community and surrounding counties where Cargill operates multiple
plant locations."
Announced earlier this month, tax equity financing for Prairie
Wolf was provided by Bank of America.
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid
Renewables, part of the competitive, unregulated National Grid
Ventures division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns and
operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind and
energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused
business, National Grid Renewables develops projects for
corporations and utilities that seek to repower America's
electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a
sustainable, clean energy future.
National Grid Renewables has a robust development pipeline of
wind, solar and energy storage projects in various stages of
development throughout the United
States, as well as geographically diverse operational assets
across the country. It supports National Grid's vision of being at
the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all.
To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit
www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on Twitter or
LinkedIn.
Contact: Lindsay T.
Smith
Director, Marketing & Communications
National Grid
Renewables
press@nationalgridrenewables.com
Media Relations: 612.429.7050
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SOURCE National Grid Renewables