rPlus Energies announced a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Idaho Power for a new 200-MW solar facility in Ada County, Idaho. The project named Pleasant Valley Solar is currently the largest contracted solar facility in the Idaho Power system.
The project is expected to utilize many local vendors during construction — bringing significant revenue to the area, benefits to local businesses, and approximately 220 construction related jobs.
“The sunshine is plentiful in Idaho — and we at rPlus Energies are proud to help the state achieve a commonsense approach to energy independence and utilize the abundant energy source to its full potential,” said rPlus Energies president and CEO Luigi Resta. “The Pleasant Valley Solar project will play a critical role in supplying reliable and resilient renewable energy while also bringing strong economic growth and job opportunities to the state.”
The Pleasant Valley Solar project was awarded a PPA through a negotiated process with Meta (formerly the Facebook company) and Idaho Power. This PPA was made possible through the collaborative efforts between Meta and Idaho Power to develop a special Energy Services Agreement that will allow Meta access to renewables to support its local operations. The project will deliver energy to the Idaho Power system and contribute to Meta’s goal to support 100% of its operations with renewable energy. Specifically, output from the project will go into the same grid that supports Meta’s new data center in Kuna, Idaho.
“This is an important milestone for Idaho Power,” said Idaho Power President and CEO Lisa Grow. “Pleasant Valley will not only become the largest solar project on our system, but it’s also an example of how our proposed Clean Energy Your Way program can help us partner with customers to meet their own clean energy goals. We look forward to working with Meta as the future of clean energy takes shape in Idaho, including Idaho Power’s own goal to provide 100% clean energy to its customers by 2045.”
rPlus Energies has selected Sundt Renewables to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for Pleasant Valley Solar.
Construction is expected to begin later this year.
News item from rPlus Energies
