MISO-IL project's Education Fund to donate
~$720,000 over next 20 years
MINNEAPOLIS, July 15,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alongside community members,
project customers and partners, National Grid
Renewables hosted a community celebration and Stuff-the-Bus
event on July 13, 2022 at the Prairie
Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf) in Coles County, Illinois. The event celebrated
the 200 megawatt (MW) project and the social and economic benefits
it provides the local community and school district.
As part of the celebration and Stuff-the-Bus event, a school bus
was brought to the project site, and donations were collected and
placed inside the bus to support the local Kansas School District. Items collected and
donated by project partners, customers and community members
included backpacks, sports equipment, calculators, writing
utensils, classroom supplies and more.
The Stuff-the-Bus event highlights the purpose of the Prairie
Wolf Education Fund, which is funded by National Grid Renewables
and is estimated to contribute $720,000 over the next 20 years to the local
Kansas School District. The
Prairie Wolf Education Fund is just one example of how National
Grid Renewables prioritizes charitable giving and often implements
charitable funds for the projects it owns and operates to benefit
local community members.
"We are so fortunate to have a progressive company such as
National Grid Renewables in our area," stated Cindy Spencer, Kansas School District Superintendent. "This
is an adventure with solar panels that will acclimate our students
to the future of electricity. National Grid Renewables and
their staff have been supportive and generous throughout this
entire project."
"The Prairie Wolf Solar Project demonstrates National Grid
Renewables' commitment to invest in the American economy, give back
to local communities, and help build a more sustainable, clean
energy future," stated Blake Nixon,
President of National Grid Renewables. "Thank you to the residents
of Coles County for welcoming us
into your community."
To watch a short film of the event, please click here.
Prairie Wolf announced commercial operation in December 2021 and is estimated to avoid
285,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually*. Prairie
Wolf employed 250 workers during peak construction and now employs
5 onsite operations and maintenance staff members. The project is
estimated to contribute $16 million
in tax revenue over the first 20 years of operation. Prairie Wolf
has a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Cargill, marking
the second renewable energy VPPA contracted between Cargill and
National Grid Renewables, the first being for a portion of the
Crocker Wind Farm in Clark County, South
Dakota.
"Cargill is committed to mitigating the pressing issue of
climate change and its impacts on our global food system. One of
the ways we are doing this is by financially participating in
renewable energy sources, such as the Prairie Wolf Solar Project,"
stated Eric Hoegger, Director,
Global Renewable Energy for Cargill. "Not only will the Prairie
Wolf Solar Project play a vital role in helping us reduce our
greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to the renewable
economy, but we are also honored to contribute to the positive
impact it will have on the Coles
County community and surrounding counties where Cargill
operates multiple plant locations."
Prairie Wolf utilizes next-generation Series 6 thin film solar
modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR).
SOLV Energy, formerly known as Swinerton Renewable Energy,
constructed Prairie Wolf, and NovaSource Power Services provides
operations and maintenance services for the project.
*Calculated using the United States Environmental Protection
Agency's greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.
About National Grid
Renewables
National Grid Renewables, part of the National Grid Ventures
division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns and operates
large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind and
energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused
business, National Grid Renewables develops projects for
corporations and utilities that seek to repower America's
electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a
sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports
National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and
affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid
Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the
company on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Contact: National Grid Renewables
press@nationalgridrenewables.com
Media Relations: 612.429.7050
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SOURCE National Grid Renewables