US-based rPlus Energies has amended its existing power purchase agreement (PPA) with PacifiCorp for the Green River Energy Center, a solar-plus-storage project in Emery County, Utah.

The amendment enhances the facility's storage capacity from 400MWh to 1.6GWh. The solar component of the project has 400MW of capacity.

The expansion of the Green River Energy Center represents a capital investment exceeding $1bn and is scheduled to begin construction in Q2 2024.

rPlus Energies will present the project to the market for tax and debt financing later in the same year.

The original PPA was signed by the two companies in October 2022. It was submitted in PacifiCorp's 2020 all-source request for proposals, shortlisted and selected through a competitive process.

The project's development will create 500 construction jobs.

rPlus Energies president and CEO Luigi Resta stated: “After a decade-long, successful partnership, this milestone project marks the third contracted collaboration between rPlus and PacifiCorp.

“We appreciate PacifiCorp’s diverse and forward-thinking energy vision and we look forward to contributing to Emery County’s rich energy history.”

Sundt Construction has been selected to deliver engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.

This expansion follows rPlus Energies' recent financial boost – an investment of $460m from Sandbrook Capital.

The Sandbrook investment will support the renewables developer to further the ownership and operation of renewable energy projects.

In September 2023, Spanish renewables developer Matrix Renewables and rPlus Energies began construction of the 200MW Pleasant Valley solar project in Ada County, Idaho.

Its commencement followed Matrix Renewables' acquisition of a majority stake from rPlus Energies in August 2023, with rPlus retaining a minority interest.