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    Microsoft Signs Two 200-MW PPAs with Leeward Renewable Energy for Two Solar Farms Under Construction in Texas

    April 1, 2024
    The projects will utilize First Solar ultra-low carbon, thin-film photovoltaic solar modules, provide jobs, and significant local economic benefits and include initiatives to protect and enhance the environment
    Leeward Renewable Energy
    660afb1e7caa3c001e2a2d1e Leeward Renewable Energy

    Microsoft has signed two 200-MW power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Texas-based renewable energy company Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE). Under the PPA, Microsoft will purchase the power generated by two LRE solar facilities currently under construction - Morrow Lake Solar in Frio County, Texas, and Cradle Solar in Brazoria County, Texas. 

    The projects will utilize First Solar ultra-low carbon, thin-film photovoltaic solar modules, provide jobs and significant local economic benefits, and include initiatives to protect and enhance the environment, such as land stewardship activities to promote soil health, preserve native plant species, and enhance biodiversity.

    The projects also support various community programs, including educational initiatives, assisting in establishing a youth agricultural training center and donating to local events.

    “We are honored to collaborate with Microsoft in our joint commitment to accelerate the energy transition by adding these clean energy projects,” said Jason Allen, LRE’s Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to strengthening our relationships with Frio County and Brazoria County as we develop and operate the two facilities and deliver substantial and transformative benefits for local residents and communities for years to come, all while we support US manufacturing.”

    Red River, a joint venture of SunChase Power and Eolian, began developing Morrow Lake Solar in 2017. The project has created 313 construction jobs, including 112 local hires, and construction of the facility is anticipated to be completed by Q4 2024. 

    The construction of Cradle Solar in Brazoria County, expected to begin in Q2 2024 and end by Q4 2025, will generate over 300 construction jobs at its peak. 

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.