Meta and EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) signed a long-term power purchase agreement to develop Cypress Knee Solar, a 250 MW photovoltaic park to be built in Arkansas, USA. This initiative is part of Meta’s strategy to maintain a clean electricity supply for its operations and expand the integration of new renewable generation into the US power grid.
Likewise, the new contract strengthens the energy relationship between both companies; with this project, the total contracted capacity between Meta and EDPR NA reaches 545 MW in the United States, reinforcing a collaboration focused on the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.
Cypress Knee Solar will expand renewable generation in Arkansas.
The Cypress Knee Solar project will be located in Chicot County and is expected to be operational by 2028. During the construction phase, it will generate several hundred direct jobs related to civil works, photovoltaic installation, and logistics activities.
Once operational, the solar park will bring in an estimated $25 million in revenue for the county, which will be used for public services and local infrastructure, according to the companies involved.
Meta explained that the agreement helps it achieve its goal of covering 100% of its annual electricity consumption with clean, renewable energy. The technology company continues to increase its energy supply contracts due to the growth of its digital operations and data centers.
Meta and EDP Renewables strengthen clean energy strategy
Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, CEO of EDP, pointed out that long-term partnerships allow for accelerating the energy transition and strengthening the resilience of the electricity grid.
Amanda Yang, director of Clean and Renewable Energy at Meta, stated that Cypress Knee Solar will add new energy capacity to Arkansas’s electrical system while promoting economic benefits for local communities.
In addition to energy development, EDPR NA reported that it has allocated more than $77,000 to community initiatives in Chicot County. Among the programs supported are the restoration of a school greenhouse, resources for a student robotics team, and contributions to local food banks.
Technology companies are accelerating renewable energy in the US.
The agreement between Meta and EDP reflects the growing participation of large technology companies in the renewable energy PPA market. Companies linked to artificial intelligence, digital services, and data centers continue to increase their electricity demand and seek to guarantee stable energy supplies with low emissions.
In this context, Arkansas is positioned as a new photovoltaic investment hub thanks to the availability of land, electrical connection capacity, and energy expansion policies in the southern United States.
Source: Prnewswire
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