Amazon Signs Deal for Solar Energy to Power Data Centers in U.S.
Amazon announced it has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with U.S. energy company Avangrid, which is part of the Iberdrola Group, to purchase electricity from a new solar project in Oregon.
Avangrid has a long-standing presence in Oregon, dating back to its first project in 2001. Today, the company operates 2.5 GW of energy capacity across the state and maintains a National Training Center in Sherman County as well as a major corporate office in Portland. Through its work, Avangrid continues to expand clean energy infrastructure and support the growing demand for renewable power in the United States.
The Oregon Trail Solar facility, expected to begin operations in 2027, will generate 57 MWdc (41 MWac) of renewable power to supply Amazon’s data centers in the Pacific Northwest.
Construction of the facility is projected to create around 200 jobs, with most positions filled by local union workers. The project will also feature more than 100,000 solar panels and is expected to produce roughly the same amount of electricity consumed by 10,000 American households each year.
Once the project is operational, it will also provide several permanent jobs in the area and contribute approximately US$6 million in combined payments in lieu of taxes and property taxes over its lifetime. These contributions are expected to benefit schools, infrastructure, and other community services.
The deal is the second recent collaboration between Avangrid and Amazon in the region, following a previous agreement for energy from the Leaning Juniper IIA repower project. Avangrid and Amazon have established similar renewable energy partnerships in other states, including Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina.
Jose Antonio Miranda, CEO of Avangrid, said:
“This agreement reflects Amazon and Avangrid’s commitment to delivering reliable energy solutions that will help meet America’s growing energy needs and support the growth of critical infrastructure. Oregon Trail Solar builds on our strong presence in Oregon and deep partnership with Amazon, and we are proud to help power the future with projects that bring lasting economic benefits to local communities, bolster our nation’s energy independence and maximize energy production.”