McDonald’s will purchase the entirety of power coming from a180-MWDC solar project in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, currently being built by Lightsource bp.
“Growing our partnership with Lightsource bp reaffirms our commitment to building a more sustainable McDonald’s system at a meaningful scale,” said Elaine Strunk, Sr. Director Global Sustainability, McDonald’s. “Prairie Ronde Solar will contribute to our climate aspirations while adding a considerable amount of new renewable generation to the grid.”
Lightsource bp will finance, build, own and operate the Prairie Ronde Solar project located about 25 miles north of Lafayette. McDonald’s will purchase all the solar energy the project generates, equivalent to approximately 630 restaurants’ worth of renewable electricity annually. Construction of the project is expected to begin in early 2023, with commercial operation starting in late 2024.
“This deal marks McDonald’s second solar project in Louisiana in partnership with Lightsource bp, bringing our statewide total of solar assets to 525 MW representing a cumulative half billion-dollar private investment,” said Kevin Smith, CEO, Lightsource bp, Americas. “McDonald’s is a great example of a corporate buyer whose commitment to sustainability is driving massive investment in new clean energy infrastructure for America’s energy security and clean energy
News item from Lightsource bp
We are property owners that border the prairie ronde solar project.
Our main concern is the fact that no one in this area was notified in any kind of way , of what was going on in our backyard and surrounding areas.
We have tried to get information from our local officials, parish council, etc.
All they tell us is, ” it’s a done deal.” “Nothing we can do about it ‘
We knew nothing about meetings at the Yambilee, to learn about, voice our concerns, just general information.
We found out about this project when they started demolishing trees.
It would have been nice to have known prior to seeing this happen.
Feel free to contact us.
We just want some answers ,as do the other property owners in this area.
The solar developer met with community members in October 2022, and the council approved the project in November, according to this story: https://www.dailyworld.com/story/news/local/2022/11/17/st-landry-council-approves-900-acre-solar-farm-project-near-opelousas/69656566007/