rPlus Energies has officially started construction on the Green River Energy Center, a groundbreaking 400-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) and 400 MW/1,600 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage facility in Eastern Utah. This solar-plus-storage project, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., will supply clean energy to PacifiCorp under a long-term power purchase agreement.
Boost for Utah’s Solar Energy Market
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighted the positive impact the project will have on the state. “This project is being built in rural Utah, by rural Utahns, and for all of Utah. When rural Utah thrives, the entire state prospers,” he said.
The project, with over $1 billion in secured construction financing, is expected to create approximately 500 local jobs. It will also significantly boost Emery County’s economy by increasing tax revenue, strengthening public services, and providing long-term energy sector employment.
Key Partnerships Drive Solar Energy Investment
Sundt Construction, a major contractor in the Mountain West, is leading the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) efforts. EliTe Solar will supply the solar modules, and Tesla will provide the battery storage technology. Luigi Resta, President and CEO of rPlus Energies, praised the collaborative nature of the project, saying, “It’s the partners that make this project special and have made this monumental project possible.”
This project represents a significant advancement in solar energy technology and storage capacity, aligning with broader trends in the U.S. energy market toward renewable energy investment and sustainable infrastructure development.
Source: businesswire.com