Leeward Renewable Energy Achieves Significant Project Milestones for Big Plain Solar, White Wing Ranch Solar and GSG Wind Facilities

Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC (LRE) today announced a number of significant projectmilestonesfor its Big Plain Solar, GSG Wind, and White Wing Ranch Solar projects. Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) and LRE have signed Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements (REPAs) for these projects.

Project milestones include:

• Big Plain Solar: Located in Madison County, Ohio, Big Plain Solar reached commercial operation and has a generating capacity of 196 megawatts (MW).
• GSG Wind: Located in Lee and Lasalle Counties, Illinois, GSG Wind commenced onsite construction to repower LRE’s legacy 80-MW wind facility, decommissioning 40 turbines and constructing 26 new turbines, enhancing turbine capacity, reliability, and performance. The project will create approximately 180 construction jobs and is expected to be operational in December 2023.
• White Wing Ranch Solar: Located in Yuma County, Arizona, White Wing Ranch Solar commenced onsite construction on the 160-MW facility. The project is expected to be operational in the second half of 2024.

In aggregate, these three wind and solar projects will have the capacity to generate nearly 450 MW of reliable, clean energy, which will help support Verizon’s sustainability goals. The projects further support LRE’s transformative growth strategy aimed at positioning the company as one of the top renewable energy providers in the U.S., with roughly 10 gigawatts (GW) of operating and contracted capacity by 2026. 

“LRE is thrilled to reach these significant project milestones with Verizon as we continue to develop innovative renewable energy solutions to meet their needs and sustainability goals,” said Jason Allen, LRE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Today’s announcement underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing the energy transition in the U.S. and making a substantial, positive impact in the communities where we operate.”

“This impressive collective of project announcements highlights our dedication to protecting our planet and enabling a sustainable energy transition in the United States,” said Verizon SVP, Global Supply Chain & Sourcing, and Chief Sustainability Officer, Jim Gowen. “Innovative companies like LRE help us deliver on these goals.”

While every LRE project is uniquely designed to reflect the specific needs of each community, all projects will support job creation and deliver critical economic and environmental benefits to the surrounding areas. At Big Plain Solar, LRE has a partnership with Clark State College to educate and train the next generation of leaders interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy industry. At GSG Wind, consistent with LRE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, LRE will recycle or reuse 100 percent of the wind turbine blades from the decommissioned turbines. At White Wing Ranch Solar, LRE is pursuing innovative land management practices to promote the regeneration of native desert ecosystems.