Photo: Shutterstock/Pine Gate Renewables
The largest US proposed solar and storage project, the 2.4 gigawatt (GW) Sunstone Solar, recently received approval from Oregon regulators.
The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council has given its final approval, allowing solar and storage developer Pine Gate Renewables to move forward with building a large 1200 MW solar farm paired with a 1200 MW storage facility in Eastern Oregon.
Pine Gate is also working closely with Morrow County and agricultural groups to address the impact of Sunstone Solar on the local agricultural economy. It has established a first-of-its-kind program that will contribute more than $1,000 per acre of each project to a county-owned fund that supports local agriculture and improves the long-term sustainability of the county's wheat farms.
Local wheat farmer and landowner Ken Grieb, who is part of the Sunstone Solar project, is excited about the opportunities: “As a lifelong resident of Morrow County, I am excited for Sunstone Solar to move forward so that the local community can benefit from the economic opportunities that the project will bring. Pine Gate has shown how the development of a large power plant can be done thoughtfully and collaboratively.”
Sunstone Solar will connect to the grid through the Bonneville Power Administration through the Umatilla Electric Cooperative system. Pine Gate is already in discussions with local utilities and customers about buying the power once it's up and running. Engineering and procurement will begin in early 2025, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
Pine Gate already owns and operates 17 other solar projects in Oregon, and acquired Sunstone Solar from Gallatin Power Partners in 2022.
Read more: Renewables powered 24% of US electricity in the first three quarters of 2024
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