PORTLAND, Ore. - Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:AGR) has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), marking a significant step in both companies' renewable energy strategies. The PPA pertains to the Amazon Wind Farm Oregon – Leaning Juniper IIA, located in Gilliam County, which will provide Amazon with 98.4 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity.
The CEO of Avangrid, Pedro Azagra, highlighted the alignment of values between the two companies in accelerating the transition to renewable energy. This collaboration is set to support Amazon's climate goals, while also generating local employment and community contributions.
Amazon's Head of Energy Strategy, Abhishek Sharma, expressed enthusiasm over their first utility-scale renewable energy project in Oregon. The initiative is a continuation of Amazon's broader efforts to achieve 100% renewable energy usage by 2025, maintaining its status as the world's largest corporate purchaser of renewable power.
The wind farm, consisting of 40 turbines, is expected to produce sufficient electricity to power approximately 22,800 homes annually. The construction phase will create around 200 jobs, bolstering the local economy.
Avangrid plans to leverage the Inflation Reduction Act to repower existing wind farms, like Leaning Juniper IIA, to harness technological advancements for more efficient renewable power generation. This strategy aims to maximize the local impact of such projects over the coming decade.
In terms of community engagement, the Avangrid Community Sponsorship Program has facilitated contributions to local libraries, preschools, and firefighters through the wind farm. With Amazon's investment, these initiatives can persist. Furthermore, the project has already contributed over $11 million in local property taxes, supporting public services such as education and safety.
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