S'abonner

RWE begins construction of its second solar farm in Ohio

Construction has started on the Union Ridge Solar Farm, with a 98 MWac capacity, in Licking County, Ohio. The project is creating hundreds of local jobs and strengthening the skilled workforce in the renewable energy sector.

Share:

RWE, the third largest renewable energy producer in the United States, has begun construction of its second solar farm in the state of Ohio. The Union Ridge project, with a capacity of 98 megawatts alternating current (MWac), is located in Licking County, in central Ohio. The company acquired the project from Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) in autumn 2024.

Development of the Union Ridge Solar Farm represents a $68mn investment in the local economy of Licking County. The project is expected to generate approximately 280 direct jobs during the construction phase, including wages and benefits, as well as increased local procurement and tax contributions. These economic effects are also expected to boost surrounding services and local businesses.

Collaboration with local unions

RWE has partnered with MasTec Renewables for the project’s construction, with a specific objective of leveraging Ohio’s unionised craft workforce. The two companies are working with several local unions, including the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). This partnership enables the hiring of skilled workers for the construction and installation of the utility-scale solar farm.

Economic impact and support for workforce training

Kevin Kroll, Chief Operating Officer at RWE Clean Energy, stated: “Our Union Ridge project is a real example of how we collaborate with leading American companies to generate jobs and boost local economies with our homegrown energy.” According to him, the project also supports Ohio’s skilled workforce by developing long-term job opportunities in the renewable energy industry.

Mike Flynn, Senior Vice President of Operations at MasTec Renewables, added: “Our partnership with RWE for the Union Ridge project shows MasTec’s commitment to driving local economic growth and strengthening workforce development. This project creates hundreds of roles, from skilled labourers to utility electricians and solar panel assemblers.”

Total capacity and future outlook

The Union Ridge Solar Farm will add to the 400 MW of wind and solar assets already owned and operated by RWE in Ohio. Once completed, it will bring RWE’s total operating capacity in the state to nearly 500 MW—enough to power more than 118,000 average US homes annually.

  • Populaires ​
China unveils 17 MW floating wind turbine prototype
TotalEnergies leads high-power charging on motorways with 1,800 stations
Cadeler receives Wind Keeper vessel and secures firm EUR210m contract
Gutami Holding signs 150 MW solar deal with storage in Burkina Faso
Europe records record LNG imports since April
EDP Renewables signs 20-year solar contract with California Water Service
EDP Renewables North America and California Water Service have entered into a 20-year agreement to supply solar energy to a strategic Bakersfield site, reducing grid energy costs by about $1.7mn over the contract duration.
Europe’s solar slowdown marks the first decline in a decade
Solar growth in the European Union is seeing its first annual contraction in ten years, following reduced subsidies and shifting budget priorities in several member states.
Scatec wins 846 MW solar project in South Africa for 735 mn USD
Scatec secures the development of a 846 MW photovoltaic cluster in the Free State province, with an investment of ZAR13bn ($735mn), following the seventh round of South Africa's REIPPPP programme.
Enbridge launches 600 MW solar project in Texas to power Meta
Enbridge invests $0.9bn in a 600 MW solar facility in Texas, fully dedicated to powering Meta Platforms, Inc.'s data centres through a long-term power purchase agreement.
ENGIE acquires a portfolio of 22 solar projects totalling 70 MW in Pennsylvania
ENGIE has announced the acquisition of 22 distributed solar projects in Pennsylvania, further strengthening its renewable energy expansion strategy while supporting the local economy and enhancing the reliability of the distribution grid.
Estuary Power launches Escape Solar and secures major additional financing
Estuary Power commissions the Escape Solar and Storage project in Nevada, integrating 185 megawatts of solar capacity and securing enhanced financing from institutional investors to supply electricity to several major players in the leisure sector.
US tariffs and FEOC restrictions threaten solar supply chain and create risks for the industry
New anti-dumping tariffs and Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions are disrupting the US solar supply chain, while ongoing dependence on China exposes the industry to significant risks, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Sri Lanka signs partnership to roll out solar energy at scale
Sri Lanka and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) have signed a strategic partnership to accelerate solar energy deployment in the country, aiming for 70% renewable energy by 2030.
Sunrun raises $431 million with residential solar system securitization
Sunrun announced the pricing of its $431 million securitization, involving leases and power purchase agreements. This marks the company’s 14th public securitization and its third of 2025.
Resalta acquires Statkraft’s Croatian platform, strengthening its position in Eastern Europe
Resalta has completed the acquisition of Statkraft’s Croatian platform, expanding its presence in renewable energy across Eastern Europe, with a portfolio of projects and a full local team.
Gaia finalises $11mn solar acquisition in South Africa with two photovoltaic assets
Gaia Renewables 1 has acquired a 10% stake in two solar power plants in the Northern Cape, following regulatory approval and financial close, strengthening its portfolio of independent assets.
Azerbaijani sovereign fund acquires stake in 402 MW solar assets in Italy
SOFAZ acquires 49% of a 14-plant solar portfolio held by Enfinity Global in Lazio and Emilia-Romagna, reinforcing its long-term stable investment strategy.
Entech acquires 100 MWp of solar projects from international energy group
Entech spent €1.4mn to acquire a portfolio of photovoltaic projects under development across southern and central France, marking a first move in its external growth strategy following a recent capital increase.
MIGA grants $495 million in guarantees to CrossBoundary for 100 African projects
A guarantee operation orchestrated by the World Bank targets the expansion of distributed energy solutions across nearly twenty African markets, involving a project portfolio led by CrossBoundary Energy and a financial collaboration with Standard Bank South Africa.
South Africa: Eskom Under Pressure from Residential Solar Growth
Facing chronic power outages, South African households are increasingly turning to solar self-generation, jeopardizing Eskom's pricing model and widening energy-access inequalities between affluent neighborhoods and disadvantaged areas.
Sol Systems raises $675mn to support 500 MW of solar and storage projects in the United States
Sol Systems has secured a $675mn credit facility to accelerate the development of 500 MW of solar and storage projects in Illinois, Ohio and Texas, backed by an international banking consortium.
Solar becomes the leading source of electricity in Pakistan
The rapid rise of solar energy is disrupting Pakistan’s electricity sector, forcing the government to revise its tariff policy and introduce new taxes on solar panel imports.
Sabanci Renewables acquires 120 MW of solar in Texas from OCI Energy
Sabanci Renewables announces the acquisition of the Texan solar project Pepper from OCI Energy, strengthening its US portfolio to 660 MW and paving the way for an increase to 3 GW by 2030.
Poland awards 1.67 GW of solar projects in its latest renewables auctions
The results of recent Polish auctions reveal a predominance of photovoltaic solar, with 178 projects selected and a total capacity of 1.67 GW, while other segments found no takers.
The French solar federation organises itself amid current political and economic attacks
The National Solar Energy Federation, launched on 21 June and formalised on 14 July, brings together installers, equipment suppliers and financiers to defend photovoltaics against political criticism as Paris prepares a new energy roadmap.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING