rPlus Energies, a national leader in the development of large-scale renewable energy projects, announced the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Idaho Power for a new 200 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Ada County, Idaho. The project, named Pleasant Valley Solar, is currently the largest solar installation contracted in the Idaho Power system.
The project is expected to use many local suppliers during construction, generating significant revenue for the region, benefits for local businesses, and approximately 220 construction-related jobs. The Pleasant Valley Solar project was awarded a PPA through a negotiation process with Meta (formerly the Facebook Company) and Idaho Power.
Cooperation between Meta and Idaho Power
This PPA was made possible through collaborative efforts between Meta and Idaho Power to develop a special energy services agreement that will allow Meta to access renewable energy to support its local operations. Specifically, the project’s output will be fed into the same electrical grid that powers Meta’s new data center in Kuna, Idaho. Pleasant Valley Solar will significantly increase the amount of renewable energy on Idaho Power’s system. The company is actively committed to its goal of providing 100% clean energy by 2045.
rPlus Energies has selected Sundt Renewables (“Sundt”) to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for Pleasant Valley Solar. Sundt has significant experience in the region, including the 80 MW Graphite Solar project developed by rPlus in Carbon County, Utah, which entered commercial operation in June 2022, and the 200 MW Appaloosa Solar 1 project currently under construction in Iron County, Utah. Construction of Pleasant Valley Solar will begin later this year.