German utility RWE Renewables has entered into a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Georgia Power Company for electricity from the 195.5MW Broken Spoke Solar project that is coupled with a 40MW 2-hour battery energy storage unit.
First power from the plant in Mitchell County, Georgia, is seen in late 2021. The project was originally developed by RWE’s rival E.ON, whose renewable generation assets RWE took over earlier this year as part of a massive asset and share swap deal that also involves RWE’s former renewables unit Innogy.
“We’re pleased to finalise this agreement with a company like Georgia Power, who has demonstrated a commitment to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to its customers,” said Silvia Ortin, chief operating officer onshore wind and solar PV Americas at RWE Renewables.
Atlanta-based Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of the Southern Company, and serves more than 2.6 million customers.
“This integrated solar plus storage facility will increase energy delivery during peak demand times and simplify integration of locally produced energy into the Georgia Power grid,” said Christoph Hunfeld, at head of asset commercialisation North America at RWE.
Although most of its power generation is still from fossil sources such as coal and lignite, RWE through the transaction with E.ON has moved to become one of the world’s larger renewable energy players as well. The utility has pledged to invest €1.5bn ($1.66bn) a year in renewables.
