Avangrid, in collaboration with Portland General Electric (PGE), QTS, and Meta, has announced the development of the Tower Solar project in Morrow County, Oregon. This 120 MWac (166 MWdc) solar facility will support PGE’s Green Future Impact program, which helps large customers achieve their sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
A Key Step Toward Renewable Energy
The Tower Solar project is under construction and will deliver clean, renewable energy to PGE’s grid. Once complete, the facility will help meet the growing demand for sustainable energy in Oregon. It will also provide valuable resources for businesses, particularly data centers, helping them to achieve 100% renewable energy goals.
The project will create significant local economic benefits, including the creation of over 200 jobs during its construction phase. Located on 900 acres of land, Tower Solar will use more than 200,000 solar panels. These efforts contribute to increasing the region’s renewable energy capacity and support energy independence.
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Partnership With Key Players
The Tower Solar project is developed by Avangrid, a leader in renewable energy, and is supported by major partners, including QTS and Meta. QTS is developing a data center campus to support Meta’s operations in the region. This collaboration ensures that the energy generated from Tower Solar will be used to meet Meta’s sustainability goals.
Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, said, “We are pleased to work closely with some of our largest customers to develop another utility-scale solar project in Oregon, the home-base for Avangrid’s onshore renewable energy business.”
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Economic Benefits for the Region
Once completed, Tower Solar will provide substantial economic benefits for Morrow County. The project is expected to contribute about $20 million in payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and property taxes. This will support public services like education and local infrastructure.
Additionally, Tower Solar is part of a larger push for renewable energy in the region. The combined capacity of all facilities in the Green Future Impact program will total 482 MWac, with other solar facilities like Pachwáywit Fields, Daybreak, and Bakeoven already contributing to the program.
Continuing Commitment to Renewable Energy
Avangrid’s Tower Solar project will be its sixth solar facility in Oregon. Once construction is finished in 2026, it will also become Avangrid’s 17th power generation project in the state. Avangrid currently operates over 1.6 GW of wind and solar energy projects in Oregon, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainable and renewable energy development.