Avangrid partners with Amazon for renewable energy project in Oregon

Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a prominent sustainable energy corporation and part of the Iberdrola Group, has made headlines with its announcement of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Amazon. This notable deal involves sourcing renewable energy from the Avangrid wind farm located in Gilliam County, Oregon, known as the Amazon Wind Farm Oregon – Leaning Juniper IIA, boasting a capacity of 98.4 MW. This agreement places the deal’s value at the forefront, emphasizing its significance in the renewable energy sector.

Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, expressed pride in partnering with Amazon, a company aligned with Avangrid’s mission to expedite the global shift towards renewable energy. This collaboration not only aids Amazon in achieving its climate objectives but also fosters job creation and supports local communities.

Amazon’s Head of Energy Strategy for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Abhishek Sharma, highlighted the project as Amazon’s inaugural utility-scale renewable energy initiative in Oregon. Contributing to Amazon’s portfolio, which already includes 2 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity across the western U.S., this project underscores Amazon’s position as the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy. The Leaning Juniper IIA project is pivotal for Amazon’s goal to power its operations entirely with renewable energy by 2025.

The Leaning Juniper IIA wind farm, a repowering project, aims to significantly enhance the efficiency and extend the lifespan of the existing wind farm. Equipped with 40 turbines, it is projected to generate sufficient energy to power 22,800 homes annually. The construction phase is expected to create approximately 200 jobs.

In a forward-thinking move, Avangrid has committed to recycling all turbine blades from the decommissioned project, preventing over 1,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills. This initiative reflects the benefits outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act, as highlighted by Azagra. Avangrid plans to leverage its extensive onshore wind fleet for future repowerings, optimizing technology to produce renewable energy more efficiently.

The project’s community benefits are underscored through the Avangrid Community Sponsorship Program, supporting local libraries, pre-schools, and firefighters. With Amazon’s investment, these contributions will continue, further demonstrating the project’s local impact. To date, the wind farm has contributed over $11 million in local property taxes, bolstering public services such as education and safety.

This partnership between Avangrid and Amazon sets a precedent for sustainable energy projects, emphasizing the collaborative efforts required to achieve significant advancements in renewable energy and community support.

The Avangrid and Amazon collaboration through the Leaning Juniper IIA wind farm project represents a significant milestone in the renewable energy landscape. It not only showcases the potential for corporate partnerships to drive the transition towards sustainable energy but also highlights the importance of integrating community support and environmental stewardship into corporate strategies. This project serves as a blueprint for future renewable energy initiatives, demonstrating the tangible benefits of such collaborations in advancing sustainability goals, enhancing local economies, and supporting the global fight against climate change.