Avangrid has achieved commercial operation at its 162MWac Pachwáywit Fields solar farm (also known as Montague Solar) in Gilliam County, Oregon, becoming the state’s largest photovoltaic plant.
The facility will deliver clean, renewable energy to large customers and municipalities enrolled in Portland General Electric’s (PGE) Green Future Impact programme, allowing them to meet their ambitious sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
Avangrid chief executive Pedro Azagra said: “This new solar project is proof of Avangrid’s strong commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Oregon and in the US.
“We are proud to work with PGE to help it meet its ambitious targets to reduce emissions and provide clean, reliable power to its customers.”
PGE senior director of clean energy origination & structuring Brett Greene said: “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.
“We are proud to partner with our customers to deliver 162MW 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.”
Pachwáywit Fields, which began construction in 2021, spans 1,223 acres and includes 471,156 solar panels that generate the electricity equivalent to powering 40,000 homes.
Pronounced Patch-Why-Wit, this word means “sun” in the Sahaptin language.
The project is located on ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and the name pays homage to the rich history and stewardship of the Warm Springs and Umatilla Tribes.