D E Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) has signed PPAs with Facebook to power its Eagle Mountain Data Centre with energy supplied from its Rocket and Horseshoe Solar projects in Utah.
The projects are expected to generate a total 155MWac, through PPAs with Rocky Mountain Power.
Rocket Solar is an 80MWac solar facility to be built outside of Corinne in Box Elder County, Utah.
The 75MWac Horseshoe Solar facility will be constructed outside of Grantsville in Tooele County, Utah.
Both projects, which are owned and being developed by DESRI, are scheduled to begin operations in 2022.
The Rocket and Horseshoe solar projects were initially developed and permitted by Enyo Renewable Energy, a joint venture among affiliates of Enyo and MAP Energy.
Funds managed by MAP Energy also retain a minority equity ownership interest in the projects.
The facilities are expected to generate up to 200 construction jobs and will support DESRI’s ongoing renewable energy project construction efforts in the state.
They will supply clean solar energy to Facebook under the Schedule 34 Renewable Energy Tariff, which enables customers to work with Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp and part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, to meet their renewable energy goals by facilitating the construction and contracting of new renewable energy projects.
The projects will help the social media giant meet its goal of supporting its operations in the region with 100% renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75%.
DESRI chief development officer Hy Martin said: “The DESRI team is thrilled to expand our strong working relationships with Facebook and PacifiCorp to deliver cost-effective renewable power to Utah.
“These projects will create jobs, tax revenue, and other local economic development in communities across the state as Utah becomes a leader in the clean energy economy.”
PacifiCorp vice president, project development, Ryan McGraw, added: “We’re very proud to partner with DESRI to help meet the renewable energy needs of Facebook.
“These projects represent important economic investments in rural Utah which will significantly increase the amount of solar energy produced by the state.”