Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) today (April 4) announced that it completed construction and commenced operation of its 200-megawatt (MW) Horizon Solar Project. Located near Pearsall in Frio County, Texas, the project will provide Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") renewable energy under a previously announced Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (REPA).
Throughout the operational lifespan of Horizon Solar, greenhouse gas emissions avoided are estimated to be equivalent to powering 1.2 million Texan households. 1,2 The project will provide numerous benefits to the local community, including approximately $30 million in tax payments that will directly support the local County and schools. During construction, the project created approximately 400 jobs.
"LRE is pleased to have completed another successful project that will provide our longstanding customer, Verizon, with renewable energy," said Omar Aboudaher, LRE's Sr. Vice President, Development. "None of this would have been possible without the supportive, wonderful community in Frio County, who welcomed our team and this project."
"Today's announcement underscores Verizon's commitment to supporting a sustainable energy transition in the United States," said Jim Gowen, Verizon SVP, Global Supply Chain & Sourcing, and Chief Sustainability Officer. "Partnerships with leading companies like LRE helps us deliver on our energy and climate goals."
LRE projects are managed across the full project lifecycle with environmental, social, and cultural considerations. The Company has implemented a variety of sustainable land management practices at Horizon Solar, including the introduction of sheep grazing for vegetation control in April 2024, a comprehensive biodiversity management plan, and the planting of pollinator-friendly native plant species. This multifaceted approach increases land productivity, provides farmers with supplementary income, and contributes to advancing the transition to clean energy.
About Leeward Renewable Energy
Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) is a high-growth renewable energy company building a sustainable future for all. The company owns and operates a portfolio of 31 wind, solar, and energy storage facilities across the United States, totaling approximately 3 gigawatts of generating capacity and is actively developing and contracting a robust pipeline of new renewable energy projects. LRE takes a tailored, full-lifecycle approach to its projects, which is underpinned by its long-term ownership model and purpose-driven culture that is dedicated to benefiting its community partners while protecting and enhancing the environment. LRE is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, an investment arm of OMERS, one of the largest defined pension plans in Canada, with C$127.4 billion in net assets (as at June 30, 2023). For more information, visit www.leewardenergy.com.
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1 Equivalency for No. Of Homes Powered' estimated using US EIA data on average monthly residential consumption for 2022: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/sales_revenue_price/pdf/table_5A.pdf
2 Equivalency for Carbon Sequestered by Acres of U.S. Forests' is determined by multiplying total emissions avoided by the GHG equivalency of carbon sequestered by acres of U.S. forests (1.2 acres of US Forests sequester 1 MT CO2e, determined using USEPA equivalency calculator). https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
Contacts
For more information:
Kelly Kimberly
713.822.7538
Liz James
281.881.5170
FGS Global
lre@fgsglobal.com
