Oklahoma’s Pontotoc County in the southeast part of the state will be the site of a Connecticut-headquartered company’s first wind farm to be built in the state.
Avangrid, Inc., a sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group announced plans to build a 33-turbine or 147.5 MW wind farm in the County, thereby expanding its operations and making Oklahoma the 25th state where it has wind farms.
The farm near Ada will be large enough to provide generate about 500,000 MWh of power a year or enough electricity to 40,000 homes.
“We are thrilled to be developing our first renewable energy project in Oklahoma, that will deliver clean, renewable, wind power to the Pontotoc County community along with jobs and local investment,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO.
“With Pontotoc Wind, we are helping to accelerate a clean energy transition in the state and across the U.S.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and will produce more than 200 jobs. Avangrid expects the project will contribute to the surrounding area for more than 20 years, including local jobs to support wind farm operations and other community investment. Additionally, Pontotoc Wind will contribute an estimated $25 million in property taxes over the life of the project, which benefits local schools and other services.
Avangrid worked closely with the U.S. Air Force for several years to carefully site the project in an area that protects the Air Force’s mission.
With more than 8.6 GW of installed renewable capacity, Avangrid is the third-largest renewable energy operator in the U.S. Once construction is complete on this project, Avangrid will have operations or assets across half the country.
Here is background on the company: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,600 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital for three consecutive years as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2022, AVANGRID ranked second within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute.