Rocky Mountain Power has announced the addition of three new solar energy projects to be built across Utah on behalf of Facebook for its data center in Eagle Mountain. The projects are developed under the Salt Lake City-based utility’s Schedule 34 green energy tariff, which allows large customers to purchase renewable energy generated on their behalf.
The three projects represent 235 megawatts (MW) of additional solar capacity in Utah and bring the total amount of in-state solar energy signed to support Facebook’s regional data centers to 694 megawatts, which is equivalent to 63 percent of the solar energy currently produced in Utah. These projects will support Facebook’s 100 percent renewable energy goal for its global operations in 2020 and beyond.
“We are so happy to partner with Rocky Mountain Power once more to bring an additional 235 megawatts of new solar energy to the Utah grid,” said Urvi Parekh, head of renewable energy at Facebook. “This partnership has not only allowed us to make nearly 700 megawatts of new renewable energy projects a reality but helped bring additional investment and jobs to these Utah communities.”
The projects will be developed in rural Utah by rPlus Energies, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments and Enyo Renewable Energy and are scheduled to be in service by 2023. The projects will provide construction jobs and ongoing tax benefits for the counties where they are built. The projects include the 80 MW Graphite Solar project in Carbon County, the 80 MW Rocket Solar installation in Box Elder County and Horseshoe Solar, a 75 MW project in Tooele County.
“We applaud Facebook for committing to clean, renewable energy to power its data centers and working with Rocky Mountain Power to access the superb solar power available in Utah,” said Luigi Resta, CEO of rPlus Energies. “Projects like these, led by companies like Facebook, will drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and work to mitigate the global challenge of climate change. Additionally, we look forward to developing projects that energize the local economy by adding jobs and tax revenue and continuing to grow the energy economy that is a rich tradition of Utah rural history.”