Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has unveiled a series of renewable energy projects in the US state of Oklahoma, amounting to more than 700 megawatts alternating current (MWac).
The projects are partly backed by long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Google and aim to enhance the reliability of the state's electric grid while supporting the tech giant’s data centre operations.
The construction of the 372-MWac Mayes County solar portfolio, which is close Google’s Pryor data centre, is already underway.
This development, along with the Twelvemile Solar Projects 1, 2 and 3, brings the total solar capacity in Oklahoma to 724MWac.
LRE acquired the Mayes County solar portfolio from Red River Renewable Energy in 2024.
The electricity generated by these solar projects will be delivered by a transmission service to the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) for Google’s data centre operations.
The Mayes County solar portfolio consists of three sites: Salt Branch Solar, Huckleberry Solar, and Mayes Solar.
They are expected to generate significant economic benefits for the community, including creating 300 construction jobs and generating an estimated $76m in tax revenue for Mayes County over their operational lifetime.
Donations exceeding $60,000 have been made to local services such as the Red Cross and the Chamber of Commerce.
LRE chief commercial officer Eran Mahrer stated: "By utilising domestically manufactured equipment and creating job opportunities for Oklahomans, these projects deliver tangible benefits to local communities navigating the energy transition. They underscore our commitment to responsible development and fostering economic growth in regions critical to the future of energy.”
The PPAs were facilitated through LevelTen Energy’s Accelerated Process (LEAP), a collaborative effort between Google and LevelTen Energy designed to streamline the sourcing and execution of clean energy PPAs.
This supports Google's ambitious goal to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.
Google global head of data centre energy Amanda Peterson Corio stated: “By partnering with Grand River Dam Authority and LRE, Google is furthering its ambition to power our facilities, including those in Oklahoma, with carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030.
“These power purchase agreements demonstrate how our scaleable procurement approach is transforming the acquisition of clean energy and accelerating the development of carbon-free energy sources.”
The new solar portfolio will advance renewable energy infrastructure in the region, with the potential to power more than 865,000 homes annually and prevent 3.7 million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions throughout the PPA's duration.
