AVANGRID has started commercial operation of the Pachwáywit Fields solar farm in Gilliam County, Oregon.
The 162 MW/AC facility will provide renewable energy to several large customers and municipalities enrolled in Portland General Electric's Green Future Impact program, enabling them to achieve ambitious sustainability and carbon reduction targets.
“Pachwáywit Fields, the largest solar project in the state of Oregon, will provide clean energy to 17 of PGE’s largest customers through our Green Future Impact program,” said Brett Greene, PGE Senior Director of Clean Energy Origination & Structuring. “We are proud to partner with our customers to deliver 162 MW of clean electricity toward our collective decarbonization goals at an affordable price, advancing the clean energy transition here in Oregon as outlined in our Clean Energy & Integrated Resource Plans.”
“The completion of AVANGRID’s Pachwáywit Fields project is great news for Gilliam County. Thanks to AVANGRID for selecting Gilliam County for this project, we now house the largest solar project in Oregon and will be receiving a significant increase in tax revenue in the future. The project has also made Gilliam County the largest producer of combined wind and solar renewable energy in the State of Oregon. Because of the extended construction period, the county also realized additional and unanticipated tax revenue. Working with AVANGRID to arrive at this status has positioned Gilliam County with a larger voice in the State while we advocate for assistance in housing, daycare, broadband, arts and culture and other initiatives that are important to our residents as we navigate our way into the future,” said Pat W. Shannon, Gilliam County Commissioner.
Construction of the Pachwáywit Fields started in 2021, covering 1,223 acres and featuring 471,156 solar panels that could generate the same amount of electricity as required to power 40,000 households. This facility offered employment to nearly 300 people during construction and contributed $1.37 million to the community through local taxes and property lease payments.
