RWE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of German utility RWE, has expanded its operations in the US with the acquisition of a 599MW portfolio of three solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects.
This move signifies an enhancement of RWE's renewable energy footprint in Idaho, Washington State and New York.
The acquisition from Galehead Development, a renewables development platform, includes projects at various stages of development within the territories of utility PacifiCorp in the Pacific Northwest and northeastern New York.
The financial specifics of the transaction were not disclosed by RWE.
The Cedar Ridge project in Blaine County, Idaho, features a 300MW solar facility coupled with a 150MW/600-megawatt hours (MWh) energy storage system.
The co-located project is designed to support the regional grid and align with PacifiCorp's resource planning.
Located in Marion County, Oregon, the Remington project consists of a 199MW, four-hour (796MWh) standalone BESS.
The Champlain project, a 100MW solar photovoltaic (PV) initiative located in Washington County, New York, is positioned to meet the increasing energy demand in the New York independent system operator market and further extends RWE's presence in the state.
RWE Clean Energy utility-scale renewables development head Hanson Wood stated: “RWE is excited to close on our first acquisitions with Galehead, in particular the Remington and Cedar Ridge projects which allow us to expand our presence in the Pacific Northwest market where there is robust demand for low-cost, clean power.
“Importantly, these projects will help provide future grid support, create good-paying jobs and fuel the local economies of Washington, Blain and Marion counties. We look forward to working with the local communities to communicate the benefits of these projects throughout the development process.”
Galehead Development chief revenue officer John Clifford stated: “This transaction is a great validation of the hard work by our team to understand the long-term signals of durable markets, navigate a complex greenfield siting environment and interconnection tariff and collaborate with the world’s leading energy transition investors.
“We are thrilled to start and build on this partnership with RWE to advance this PacifiCorp project portfolio and future projects.”
In April 2024 the German utility secured an electricity business licence for the 495MW Seohae offshore wind project in South Korea.
It is the first exclusive offshore wind development right in the country since RWE established an office in Seoul in 2021. The licence, issued by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is essential for generating and supplying electricity.
