landowners Archives - National Grid Renewables

January 25, 2024September 27, 2022 by Bree Carlson

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.”

About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables, part of the National Grid Ventures division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns, 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 seeks to repower 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.

January 25, 2024July 14, 2022 by National Grid Renewables

MISO-IL project’s Education Fund to donate ~$720,000 over next 20 years

Minneapolis, MN (July 14, 2022) –Alongside community members, project customers and partners, National Grid Renewables hosted a community celebration and Stuff-the-Bus event yesterday at the Prairie Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf) in Coles County, Illinois. The event celebrated the 200 megawatt (MW) project and the social and economic benefits it provides the local community and school district. As part of the celebration and Stuff-the-Bus event, a school bus was brought to the project site and donations were collected and placed inside the bus to support the local Kansas School District. Items collected and donated by project partners, customers and community members included backpacks, sports equipment, calculators, writing utensils, classroom supplies and more. The Stuff-the-Bus event highlights the purpose of the Prairie Wolf Education Fund, which is funded by National Grid Renewables and is estimated to contribute $720,000 over the next 20 years to the local Kansas School District. The Prairie Wolf Education Fund is just one example of how National Grid Renewables prioritizes charitable giving and often implements charitable funds for the projects it owns and operates to benefit local community members.

“We are so fortunate to have a progressive company such as National Grid Renewables in our area,” stated Cindy Spencer, Kansas School District Superintendent. “This is an adventure with solar panels that will acclimate our students to the future of electricity. National Grid Renewables and their staff have been supportive and generous throughout this entire project.”

“The Prairie Wolf Solar Project demonstrates National Grid Renewables’ commitment to invest in the American economy, give back to local communities, and help build a more sustainable, clean energy future,” stated Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables. “Thank you to the residents of Coles County for welcoming us into your community.”

To watch a short film of the event, please click here. Prairie Wolf announced commercial operation in December 2021 and is estimated to avoid 285,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually*. Prairie Wolf employed 250 workers during peak construction and now employs 5 onsite operations and maintenance staff members. The project is estimated to contribute $16 million in tax revenue over the first 20 years of operation. Prairie Wolf has a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Cargill, marking the second renewable energy VPPA contracted between Cargill and National Grid Renewables, the first being for a portion of the Crocker Wind Farm in Clark County, South Dakota.

“Cargill is committed to mitigating the pressing issue of climate change and its impacts on our global food system. One of the ways we are doing this is by financially participating in renewable energy sources, such as the Prairie Wolf Solar Project,” stated Eric Hoegger, Director, Global Renewable Energy for Cargill. “Not only will the Prairie Wolf Solar Project play a vital role in helping us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to the renewable economy, but we are also honored to contribute to the positive impact it will have on the Coles County community and surrounding counties where Cargill operates multiple plant locations.”

Prairie Wolf utilizes next-generation Series 6 thin film solar modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR). SOLV Energy, formerly known as Swinerton Renewable Energy, constructed Prairie Wolf, and NovaSource Power Services provides operations and maintenance services for the project.

*Calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.

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About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables, part of the National Grid Ventures division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns 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 develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek to repower 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.

January 25, 2024October 28, 2021 by Dan Baruch

Project currently under construction in Denton County, Texas – will contribute millions in economic benefit

Minneapolis, MN (October 28, 2021) – As part of the first annual American Clean Power Week, National Grid Renewables hosted a community event at the Noble Solar and Storage Project (Noble) in Denton County, Texas to celebrate the project’s economic and environmental benefits with community members, landowners, customers, and partners. In attendance were executives from National Grid Renewables and two of the solar project’s previously announced power purchasers, The Hershey Company and NRG Energy. Additionally, Signal Energy (the project’s construction partner), First Solar (the project’s module supplier), and Fluence (the project’s energy storage provider) were in attendance, as well as representatives from Powering Texas.

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Noble, which is currently under construction with an estimated commercial operation date of 2022, consists of 275 megawatts (MW) of solar and 125 MW of battery storage. Using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, Noble is projected to offset carbon dioxide emissions by 450,000 metric tons annually during operation.

“Not only will the Noble Project benefit our environment, but it will also benefit our economy,” commented Blake Nixon, President for National Grid Renewables. “We anticipate over 475 workers will help build Noble, and millions of dollars will be pumped into the local and state communities during construction. Additionally, throughout the first 20 years of operation, Noble is projected to benefit Denton County and the state of Texas through the creation of approximately $30 million in new tax revenue, several on-site operations and maintenance jobs, and over $1 million in donations funded by Noble through a local charitable initiative.”

“Hershey recognizes the importance of companies reducing their GHG emissions to help protect the environment, and we have made strong commitments to science-based reduction targets to do our part,” said Mark Kline, Senior Manager, Nut & Energy Sourcing, Global Commodities Hershey. “Transitioning our operations to clean and renewable energy is one way we will help achieve our substantial reduction commitments, and the Noble project is a key initiative in our drive to shift to clean energy.”

“NRG has a long-standing commitment to reducing carbon emissions,” said Lynda Clemmons, Vice President, NRG Energy, Inc. “Through the collaboration of local communities and use of renewable energy, we are excited to create a sustainable energy future for our customers.”

Noble will utilize next-generation Series 6 thin film solar modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR), Fluence’s sixth-generation Gridstack™ product, and is being constructed by Signal Energy.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with National Grid Renewables on the Noble project. National Grid Renewables’ commitment to educating and serving the communities impacted by this project aligns with the core principles that is the soul of our company,” said Ryan Johnson, President of Signal Energy. “We look forward to furthering our partnership with National Grid Renewables and to being good neighbors to the people of Denton County, Texas.”

“The selection of First Solar’s uniquely American solar technology completes the circle of local, regional, and national economic impact that Noble represents,” said Darin Green, Senior Director, Americas at First Solar. “With our responsibly produced and advanced solar technology, Noble is positioned to deliver decades of clean energy to surrounding communities, while helping drive jobs in America’s heartland. First Solar is proud to supply its Series 6 modules alongside valued partners, and we look forward to further growing our partnership with National Grid Renewables to create a sustainable energy future.”

“We are proud to support National Grid Renewables’ Noble project with industry-leading energy storage technology that will help make the electric system cleaner and more resilient,” said John Zahurancik, President, Americas for Fluence. “A uniquely flexible asset, energy storage delivers value to both the electric grid and consumers by enabling greater use of renewable energy and also providing additional critical grid services.”

About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables, part of the competitive, unregulated National Grid Ventures division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind and battery storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek to repower America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future.

National Grid Renewables has a robust development pipeline of wind, solar and battery storage projects in various stages of development throughout the United States, as well as geographically diverse operational assets across the country. It 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.

January 25, 2024June 10, 2021 by Dan Baruch

MiSolar Portfolio comprises two 20 MW Michigan projects – Bingham Solar in Clinton County and Temperance Solar in Monroe County

Minneapolis, MN (June 10, 2021) – National Grid Renewables today announced significant economic benefits provided by its MiSolar Portfolio (MiSolar), which recently began operation and includes two Michigan solar projects, Bingham Solar and Temperance Solar, located in Clinton and Monroe counties, respectively. Combined, the projects produce 40 megawatts (MW) of clean, solar energy. Together with its affiliated entities, National Grid Renewables owns and operates both solar projects, and each project has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Consumers Energy.

National Grid Renewables contracted with Michigan-based Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor J. Ranck Electric, Inc. to construct the projects, and during peak construction MiSolar employed approximately 160 workers, 95% of which were recruited from communities within 100 miles of each site. Additional MiSolar job and economic benefits resulted from utilizing Michigan-based subcontractors, including The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company, based out of Reed City, Michigan.

“As a Michigan-based company, The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company was proud to help construct the MiSolar Portfolio,” stated Neil Wallerstrom, General Foreman, The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company. “Solar projects like the MiSolar Portfolio provide economic benefits for Michigan residents at the local and state level. Throughout the construction process of both project substations, we were able to hire Michigan residents and were pleased to support local hardware stores, hotels, and restaurants.”

Now operational, two full-time operations and maintenance staff work at the MiSolar project sites. During the first 20 years of operation, MiSolar is projected to further benefit the community through the creation of approximately $6 million in new tax revenue, based on current Michigan law. Throughout that same time period, using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, the combined projects are estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by over 50,000 metric tons annually.

“Our company has a long history in Michigan, and we are proud to support the state and local economies through the creation of new tax revenue and jobs that result from these projects,” stated David Reamer, Head of Development, US Onshore Renewables for National Grid Renewables. “Thank you to the residents of Clinton and Monroe Counties for welcoming us into your communities.”

“In support of the company’s triple bottom line strategy to serve the People, Planet and Prosperity in Michigan, Consumers Energy has committed to achieve a net-zero carbon energy future,” said Tim Sparks, Vice President of Electric Grid Integration at Consumers Energy. “Projects like these National Grid Renewables’ solar projects will produce clean, renewable energy and will help us realize our Clean Energy Plan. It is exciting to have two of their large-scale projects online, and we thank National Grid Renewables for their shared clean energy vision.”

About National Grid Renewables

About Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

National Grid Renewables Pledges Over $1 Million Charitable Giving to Ohio Communities

About National Grid Renewables

MISO-IL project’s Education Fund to donate ~$720,000 over next 20 years

About National Grid Renewables

Project currently under construction in Denton County, Texas – will contribute millions in economic benefit

About National Grid Renewables

MiSolar Portfolio comprises two 20 MW Michigan projects – Bingham Solar in Clinton County and Temperance Solar in Monroe County

About National Grid Renewables

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