EDP Renewables North America has launched its Ragsdale Solar Park in Madison Country, Mississippi. The 100 MW project, which became operational in late 2024, will provide power to Entergy Mississippi’s transmission system. Amazon has contracted for the full energy off-take of the system through a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Credit: EDP Renewables North America
Development of Ragsdale started in 2016 with Acadian Renewable Energy, a joint venture between SunChase Power and Eolian. EDPR NA acquired Ragsdale from Acadian in early 2022 and subsequently completed development of the project. Approximately $34.6 million will be paid in taxes over the life of the project to local governments and will go towards enhancing schools, roads and other essential services. Approximately $15 million will also be paid to local landowners, who lease a portion of their land to host the solar park’s infrastructure. Ragsdale employed more than 100 people to construct the projects and will fill up to three full-time positions to operate and perform routine maintenance on the solar park.
Ragsdale has also committed recycling more than 3,200 solar panels — approximately 120 tons of damaged or discarded panels — with SOLARCYCLE.
“Ragsdale signifies EDP Renewables’ ongoing commitment to Mississippi, its communities, and local businesses. The opportunity to develop utility-scale solar and contract directly with customers like Amazon, who are also committed to expanding their own presence in Mississippi, has been invaluable. We are proud to aid the state’s commercial and industrial growth with homegrown energy solutions,” said Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America.
During the development of Ragsdale, EDPR NA collaborated with Signal Energy and Beta Engineering to educate community leaders and stakeholders on how renewable energy can stimulate economic growth in communities.
“The team at EDPR NA is passionate about effecting positive growth within the communities where they build,” said Lindsey Launius, director of market strategy for Beta Engineering. “Often, this means engaging with the community directly throughout the project lifecycle to ensure transparency and buy-in from the landowners and nearby residents. It’s an honor to collaborate alongside clients like EDPR NA and their stakeholders to help them tell their story and present a unified approach to the energy transition.”
Signal Energy and Beta Engineering provided high-voltage engineering, procurement and construction services to interconnect Ragsdale to the grid.EDPR NA continues to remain an active player in Mississippi’s growing renewables market. Ragsdale Solar Park is the company’s second utility-scale project in the state. Pearl River Solar Park, a 175-MW array located near Bienville National Forest, generates energy equivalent to the consumption of 26,000 Mississippi homes.
News item from EDP Renewables North America
