Focused on environmental justice and resiliency building, the move highlights the power of integrating social equity into US energy transition.
EDP Renewables North America and Volt Energy Utility have partnered to launch the development of Hickory Solar Park (Hickory), a 110 MWac photovoltaic (PV) project located near Jerseyville, Illinois.
Microsoft has agreed to purchase electricity and renewable energy credits (RECs) for fifteen years from the project, driving action toward the three companies’ shared commitment to an equitable and just transition of the electric power sector.
The agreement for Hickory uses an Environmental Justice PPA (EJ PPA) form developed by Microsoft and Volt Energy, a minority-owned renewable energy developer, focused on making clean energy investments in rural and urban communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices – all of whom are behind in securing the benefits of a clean energy economy.
With this EJ PPA, Hickory will contribute funding to enable the Sharing the Power Foundation (SPF) to administer funds to mission-aligned programs.
The Hickory project is oriented to focus on ensuring sustainable environmental, social and economic results are achieved.
The project company will purchase and retire carbon offsets proportionate to the emissions generated by its upstream material components and on-site construction and operations impacts as part of a project-level carbon neutrality pledge.
EDPR NA has also committed to ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses serve in prominent leadership roles in project management and construction for Hickory.
“Aligning efforts with partners who share our passion for implementing equitable strategies contributing to local community growth is front and center of importance to us,” said Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO, EDPR NA.
“Together with Microsoft and Volt, we have the opportunity to prioritize people first by creating jobs and opening doors to women and minority-owned businesses who need to be involved in Driving a just clean energy future.”
Gilbert Campbell, Founder and CEO, Volt Energy Utility and Foundation Board Chair SPF said: “We are excited to continue our work with Microsoft and partner with EDPR NA for the first time to address environmental injustice, invest in clean energy infrastructure, and facilitate clean energy and sustainability business pathways for minority-owned entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as students looking to start a career.”
Kourtney Nelson, Senior Director of Renewable Energy Procurement, Microsoft, said: “We are pleased to work with EDP Renewables and Volt Energy in reducing our environmental impact and helping under-resourced communities build climate resilience.”
This contract expands on EDPR NA and Microsoft’s collaboration that started in July 2019 when Microsoft became an offtaker of EDPR NA’s 125MW Timber Road IV Wind Farm located in Payne, Ohio.
In addition to the Hickory announcement, Microsoft recently executed power purchase agreements at EDPR’s Wolf Run Solar Park, Illinois and Cattlemen Solar Park II Texas.
The projects are currently expected to be operational by the end of 2024
