Yellowbud Solar Project is a 274 megawatt (MW) project currently under construction in Ross and Pickaway counties, Ohio. In September 2022, a $1 million community fund pledge was announced for the project.
Project Names: Yellowbud
Ohio PJM project located in Ross and Pickaway Counties
Minneapolis, MN (October 3, 2023) – National Grid Renewables announced today the start of operations of Amazon Solar Farm Ohio – Yellowbud (Yellowbud), a 274 megawatt (MW) solar project located in Ross and Pickaway Counties, Ohio. Located in the PJM market, Yellowbud has an executed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Amazon for the solar farm.
“Amazon is deeply committed to the state of Ohio, where we’re investing in and scaling new renewable energy projects like Yellowbud that will help power our operations with 100% renewable energy, while also bringing new jobs, economic benefits, and new sources of clean energy to local communities,” said Amazon Head of Energy, Water and Sustainability, Nat Sahlstrom. “We’re eager to continue contributing to Ohio’s economic and environmental goals as part of Amazon’s commitment to become a more sustainable business.”
In recognition of this milestone, National Grid Renewables and Amazon hosted community members and local media for a tour of Yellowbud so they could see first-hand how the project is making a positive impact on the local community and throughout the state of Ohio. During operations, Yellowbud is estimated to generate $90 million in tax revenue, jobs, landowner income and charitable initiatives.
Play Video about Yellowbud solar
Additionally, the project continually seeks ways to support local organizations and businesses, with a focus on hiring locally whenever possible. Examples of this commitment can be seen in the project’s work with local landscape company, Optimal Outdoor Solutions, who recently secured a contract for mowing on the project site, and the employment of a longtime area resident as the onsite plant manager. Yellowbud’s support has extended to the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters via charitable donations, as well as the Yellowbud PILOT program with Ohio University Chillicothe, both of which benefit children and students across the state.
“Many in our areas have seen the recent local growth of the solar industry through projects like Yellowbud, and they are eager to learn more about energy innovations,” said Roberta Milliken, Dean of Campus and Community Relations at Ohio University Chillicothe. “Our partnership with National Grid Renewables enables us to find ways to bring the conversation about renewable energies to our students and to also equip teachers with relevant and beneficial information about it.”
“Yellowbud represents a long-standing commitment to bring renewable energy and economic benefit to Ohio residents,” said Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables. “It’s both rewarding and exciting to see the project reach this pivotal point. We are proud to work with customers like Amazon, who share our community-focused values and not only help to bring clean, solar resources onto the electric grid, but also support our efforts to maximize a project’s local economic and social benefits.”
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-founded and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
128 MW project poised to be largest in South Dakota, currently under construction in Pennington County.
Minneapolis, MN (July 31, 2023) – Showcasing the environmental, social and economic benefits of solar energy projects, National Grid Renewables hosted the “Solar Does Good” community event at its 128 megawatt (MW) Wild Springs Solar Project in Pennington County, South Dakota last week. The event brought together local community members, landowners, customers and partners in celebration of the project’s construction, as well as its associated benefits for local and state communities.
The community-focused event kicked off with a welcome from Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables. “We’re excited to be celebrating construction with our New Underwood landowners, neighbors and community members. Wild Springs presents an exciting opportunity to expand our footprint in South Dakota and our commitment to bring clean energy resources to its residents.”
Play Video
Wild Springs announced construction in early 2023 and is projected to be the largest solar energy project in the state to-date. Once operational, Wild Springs is anticipated to avoid 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually – the equivalent of removing roughly 42,000 cars from the road for one year.1 The project also expects to produce nearly $12 million in new tax revenue and donate over $500,000 through an Education Fund.
The highlight of the “Solar Does Good” event featured booths with representatives from several local community organizations, as well as the opportunity for event attendees to join National Grid Renewables in contributing to local fundraising initiatives. In total, National Grid Renewables donated $30,000 to these local organizations, furthering its charitable contribution to the local community.
“National Grid Renewables and their partners have been responsible and courteous newcomers to our local community,” said Caleb Dustman, Chief of the New Underwood Volunteer Fire Department. “From helping to improve one of the town’s municipal wells, to routing all construction traffic away from residential areas… With that kind of responsibility, I look forward to working with them in the years to come.”
Also present were executives from Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin) (project customer), First Solar (module provider) and Ames Construction (construction partner), who took a moment to address guests at the event.
“We are excited to add Wild Springs Solar to our total generating portfolio of over 7,000 megawatts, which blends together affordable and reliable generation into an all-of-the-above energy strategy to meet the needs of our member cooperatives over the coming decades,” said Todd Brickhouse, Basin Electric Interim Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.
“Wild Springs represents a special opportunity to expand our footprint close to home, while helping develop an exciting and evolving renewable energy market in South Dakota” said Patrick Fairl, Project Executive at Ames. “The project will employ over 250 crewmembers during the course of construction, many of whom will come right from the local communities.”
“We’re pleased that our responsibly-produced Series 6 Plus solar module technology will power Wild Springs,” said Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Officer at First Solar. “The commitment of National Grid Renewables to American Solar supports innovation and the growth of domestic manufacturing by providing a substantial demand driver. The result isn’t only the value generated by deploying solar energy projects at scale, but also the jobs and economic value created by investments in domestic manufacturing and supply chains.”
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
Minneapolis, MN (July 24, 2023) – Today, National Grid Renewables announced its pledge to donate over $500,000 to the New Underwood, South Dakota School District, sourced from its 128 megawatt (MW) Wild Springs Solar Project (Wild Springs or the project) located in Pennington County, South Dakota. The new Wild Springs Education Fund will be administered by the New Underwood Area Community Foundation, a local fund governed by the South Dakota Community Foundation.
“The New Underwood School District appreciates the pledge of $25,000 per year for 20 years provided by the Wild Springs Education Fund,” said Katie Albers, Superintendent of the New Underwood School District. “The district will use these funds in a variety of ways to benefit our students, school and community.”
National Grid Renewables initiates charitable funds for each of its large-scale renewable energy projects and commences funding of its pledge once the project achieves commercial operation. These charitable funds are intended to provide additional assistance to community activities and opportunities within the local host communities. These gifts donated by the charitable funds are above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by National Grid Renewables’ projects.
“We are incredibly proud of the local community benefits resulting from these charitable funds,” said Joe Ibrahim, Vice President of Construction and Engineering at National Grid Renewables. “When we construct a clean energy project, we are laying down roots in a community – and we take our role as a good neighbor seriously. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to give back and be a positive impact on both the residents and the local economy.”
Wild Springs announced construction in early 2023 and is projected to be the largest solar energy project in the state to-date. Once operational, Wild Springs is anticipated to avoid 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually – the equivalent to removing roughly 42,000 cars from the road for one year. The project also expects to produce nearly $12 million in new tax revenue throughout the first 20 years of operation.
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
Minneapolis, MN (June 14, 2023) – National Grid Renewables received recognition for its excellence in workplace safety and health during the 2023 Minnesota Safety and Health Conference. In May, National Grid Renewables was among 210 employers to be honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council.
“Congratulations to National Grid Renewables for their hard work, attention and dedication to safety,” said Paul Aasen, president of the Minnesota Safety Council. “Keeping people safe and achieving award-winning performance is no accident. It takes everyone from the front line to executive leadership to help people work safe, drive safe and live safe.”
Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program.
Zach Chamberlain (center) from National Grid Renewables accepts the award with representatives from the MN Safety Council.
Winners are recognized at three levels:
- Meritorious Achievement (84 winners): Incidence rates that are better than the industry average for at least three years, and a score between 50 and 74 on a 100-point safety program evaluation scale.
- Outstanding Achievement (81 winners): Continuing improvement and/or a continuing outstanding record with incident rates that are 51%-90% better than the industry average, and a score between 75 and 90 on the safety program evaluation scale.
- Award of Honor (45 winners): Incidence rates at least 91% better than the industry average, and a score between 91 and 100 on the safety program evaluation scale.
National Grid Renewables received an Award of Honor for Excellence in Workplace Safety. “We’re honored to receive this award,” said Gemma Smith, Vice President of S.H.E. Risk and Compliance. “Here at National Grid Renewables, we truly believe that safety is one of our core values. While our safety team helps promote this value, it’s our leadership and field teams that help make it a reality. This award recognizes all the work that our entire team has put into safety, from daily stretches and job briefs to long conversations walking through how we are performing the jobs, and recognizing team members for making tough calls and stopping the job when something doesn’t seem right.”
The Minnesota Safety Council, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Minnesota by preventing unintentional injuries on the road, at work, at home, and in the community.
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Onsite Construction Begins on Largest Solar Energy Project in South Dakota
128 MW Wild Springs Solar in Pennington County has PPA with Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Minneapolis, MN (January 10, 2023) – National Grid Renewables announced today the start of onsite field construction at its Wild Springs Solar Project (Wild Springs) in Pennington County, South Dakota. Wild Springs, the largest solar energy project in South Dakota to-date, is a 128 megawatt (MWac) solar project located in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) with a 114 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric).
“Wild Springs represents a continuation of our leadership in renewable energy and economic development in the state of South Dakota,” commented Blake Nixon, President, National Grid Renewables. “Our Crocker Wind Farm located in Clark County began operation in 2019, and now with Wild Springs, we will have nearly 330 MW of clean energy projects in the state, all of which contribute significantly to the tax base, as well as the local communities that host the projects.”
“The construction of the Wild Springs Solar Project will be a great addition to South Dakota,” said Steve Westra, Commissioner, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
Wild Springs is anticipated to begin commercial operation in 2023 and is currently poised to be the largest solar energy project in the state of South Dakota. Once operational, Wild Springs is projected to avoid 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually and is estimated to produce $12 million in new tax revenue throughout the first 20 years of operation. Unique to National Grid Renewables, Wild Springs anticipates donating over $500,000 during the first 20 years of operation to the local community through a planned charitable fund.
Wild Springs selected Ames Construction as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner to construct the Wild Springs facility. The Renewables Group leadership at Ames Construction has over ten years of experience building solar projects across the United States. Ames Construction estimates the need to employ 250 construction workers to complete this major infrastructure project.
“Ames appreciates National Grid Renewables’ confidence in being selected as their EPC partner,” commented Craig Sandeen, Ames Renewables’ President. “We’re excited to be a part of building South Dakota’s largest solar project!”
Wild Springs will utilize next-generation Series 6 thin film solar modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR). Recently, First Solar and National Grid Renewables announced a 2 gigawatt (GW) supply of solar modules scheduled for delivery 2024-2025.
About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on Twitter or LinkedIn.
National Grid Renewables Pledges Over $1 Million Charitable Giving to Ohio Communities
Yellowbud Community Fund part of National Grid Renewables’ 274 MW Yellowbud Solar Project.
Minneapolis, MN (September 28, 2022) – Today, National Grid Renewables announced its pledge to donate over $1 million to the Ohio communities of Ross and Pickaway Counties through its 274 megawatt (MW) Yellowbud Solar Project (Yellowbud or the project). Yellowbud will support the Yellowbud Community Fund via annual donations of approximately $54,800 over a twenty-year period and will work with The Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation (CRCF), a local nonprofit organization, to distribute the funds.
“We are thrilled to partner with Yellowbud Solar to enhance the quality of life in the Ross and Pickaway communities,” stated Scott Graham, Executive Director for CRCF. “It’s not just power that Yellowbud Solar provides; the Yellowbud Community Fund will annually support nonprofit organizations and schools operating in Ross and Pickaway Counties.”
As part of its community-focused and farmer-friendly foundation, National Grid Renewables initiates charitable funds for each of its owned and operational large scale renewable energy projects. The purpose of these charitable funds is to engage in, assist, and contribute money to charitable and/or community activities and opportunities within the project communities. The gifts donated by the charitable funds are above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by National Grid Renewables’ projects.
The Yellowbud Community Fund donations are available via grant application for schools, government agencies, and charitable 501(c)3 organizations located in Ross and Pickaway Counties. CRCF will facilitate and manage the grant application process on behalf of Yellowbud. The Yellowbud Community Fund will gift its first donation from Yellowbud approximately one year after the project reaches commercial operation. Yellowbud, which is currently under construction, is anticipated to begin operation in 2023 and intends to make its first annual donation in 2024.
“Giving back to our project communities is core to our business values, and we are excited to be able to support the community members in Ross and Pickaway Counties through the Yellowbud Community Fund,” stated Blake Nixon, President, National Grid Renewables. “With the Yellowbud Community Fund, National Grid Renewables has now pledged over $8 million in charitable funding.”