Zelestra has signed a long-term power purchase agreement with AEP Energy Partners for the full output of the proposed 50MW Gem City solar project in Dayton, Ohio.
The company said the deal will enable construction of the project, which is in advanced development and due to begin full works in early 2027 ahead of year-end operations.
AEP Energy Partners will sell electricity to its retail affiliate AEP Energy, which supplies power to the City of Dayton’s community aggregation programme through an agreement with SOPEC.
Brian Whitlatch, senior vice president at AEP Energy, said: “AEP Energy is focused on providing customers with energy supply that delivers long-term price stability and environmental benefits. Agreements like the one with Zelestra demonstrate the innovative energy solutions we can put in place to help our customers.”
“With the AEP Energy Partners PPA, we’re pleased that the Gem City solar project can begin construction in the near future. Zelestra is committed to delivering the project to the highest possible standards for AEP Energy Partners, Inc.,” added Phil North, Zelestra’s US chief executive.
Zelestra said the project will be one of the largest solar generating facilities within a US city limit and forms part of its portfolio of around 15GW of renewable developments across key markets.