Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has completed construction and reached commercial operation of its 179-MW White Wing Ranch solar project in Yuma County, Arizona. Verizon Communications has supported the development of White Wing Ranch through a long-term power purchase agreement. Completion of White Wing Ranch takes LRE’s operating fleet to more than 3.3 GW.
The White Wing Ranch solar project. Leeward Renewable Energy
White Wing Ranch is located on approximately 1,400 acres of privately-owned land and will deliver renewable energy to the bulk electric grid via the 500 kV Hoodoo Wash Switchyard. This is the first of multiple LRE projects planned for Yuma County.
White Wing Ranch created over 200 jobs during peak construction. The project uses American-made and domestically sourced First Solar Series 7 PV solar modules, marking the first large-scale deployment of this technology.
“We are pleased to begin operations at White Wing Ranch and support Verizon’s sustainability goals,” said Jason Allen, CEO of LRE. “We are excited for the future of renewable energy in the region and are committed to contributing meaningfully to the community throughout the lifespan of the project.”
White Wing Ranch used land management practices that promote the regeneration of native desert ecosystems. The project is expected to be operational for more than 30 years and will provide economic benefits to the community and a substantial property tax base for Yuma County.
“White Wing Ranch is another example of our commitment to powering our operations with clean, renewable energy,” said James Gowen, senior VP, global sourcing and supply chain and chief sustainability officer, for Verizon. “LRE continues to be a great partner to work with as we further our commitment to protecting our planet and transitioning to a greener U.S. energy grid.”
News item from Leeward Renewable Energy
No mention on the company’s site about the White Wing Ranch having an on site utility scale energy storage facility. One needs to start to see alternatives to lithium ion batteries and start seeing LAES, redox flow batteries or something like molten salt batteries for each of these projects that are supposed to last 30 years.