Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has announced two major projects aimed at advancing Washington State’s clean energy goals and supporting its commitment to a low-carbon future. The combined capacity of these projects will add nearly 350 MW of renewable energy to PSE's portfolio by the end of the decade.
The first initiative, known as the Appaloosa Solar Project, is a utility-scale solar facility in Garfield County. Located within the Lower Snake River Wind Facility, it will generate enough clean energy to power more than 30,000 homes once completed by December 2026. Qcells USA, a solar energy company based in Irvine, California, will oversee construction, with work scheduled to begin in 2025.
“We’re excited to bring clean, reliable utility-scale solar energy to our customers, especially during peak summer months when cooling demand is high,” said Ron Roberts, Senior Vice President of Energy Resources at PSE. The project will also create 300 jobs during construction and promote local economic development through workforce agreements and local suppliers.
The second project, called the Greenwater Project, is a battery storage system designed to store excess energy generated by wind and solar farms. The facility, expected to be operational by mid-2027, will be located near Sumner and help manage energy demand during extreme weather. BrightNight will design and install the facility, which will use lithium-ion batteries.
“Battery storage projects like Greenwater help us harness the renewable energy we generate while ensuring the grid remains reliable during extreme temperatures and peak demand,” said Craig Pospisil, PSE Vice President of Business Development and M&A.
Together, these projects will help PSE achieve 4% of its 2030 clean energy goals.
Source: mynorthwest.com