The US’s largest proposed solar and storage project, the 2.4 gigawatt (GW) Sunstone Solar, just got the go-ahead from Oregon regulators.

The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council gave its final approval, allowing solar and storage developer Pine Gate Renewables to move ahead with building the massive 1200 MW solar farm paired with 1200 MW of energy storage in Eastern Oregon.

Pine Gate also works closely with Morrow County and agricultural groups to offset Sunstone Solar’s impact on the local agricultural economy. It’s set up a first-of-its-kind program that will put over $1,000 per project acre into a county-managed fund that supports local agriculture and boosts the long-term resilience of the county’s wheat farms.

Local wheat farmer and landowner Ken Grieb, who is part of the Sunstone Solar project, is excited about the possibilities: “As a lifelong resident of Morrow County, I’m excited for Sunstone Solar to move forward so the local community can benefit from the economic opportunities that the project will bring. Pine Gate has demonstrated how large energy facility development can be done thoughtfully and collaboratively.”

Sunstone Solar will connect to the grid through the Bonneville Power Administration via the Umatilla Electric Cooperative system. Pine Gate is already in talks with local utilities and customers about buying the power once it’s up and running. Engineering and procurement will start in early 2025, with construction expected to kick off in 2026.

Pine Gate already owns and operates 17 other solar projects in Oregon, and it acquired Sunstone Solar from Gallatin Power Partners in 2022.

Read more: Renewables powered 24% of US electricity in first 3 quarters of 2024

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