Clearway Energy Group breaks ground on Swan Energy Center
Renewable energy developer Clearway Energy Group has begun construction on the 650 MW Swan Energy Center in Bates County, Missouri, officials announced Oct. 6.
The groundbreaking ceremony follows Clearway’s closure of financing, with the energy center’s total price tag coming to about $1.5 billion. According to representatives from the San Franciscan project developer, the Swan Energy Center will one day power the equivalent of 200,000 homes, bringing in over $80 million in local benefits.
“The Swan Energy Center represents a significant investment in Bates County, delivering reliable clean energy and economic benefits to the region,” says John Woody, Clearway’s chief development officer. “We’re grateful to our local partners for their trust in welcoming Clearway to the community.”
Developed in conjunction with construction partner Blattner Energy, the project’s construction is expected to create up to 500 jobs at peak activity. Once online, the site will also employ full-time technicians to keep the energy center up and running at full capacity.
Conservation conversations
This project marks Clearway’s first foray into the Show-Me State, officials say, and comes as part of a 1.2 GW portfolio the Californian company announced earlier this year. The project will utilize American-made solar panels and other equipment, and aims to provide the Bates County area with environmental benefits beyond renewable energy generation.
The project sits on formerly strip-mined land in western Missouri, representatives say. Additionally, the site will maintain the native grass and floral habitats to support growth for various pollinator species in the area. Specifically, the company cites the monarch butterfly as a species that will benefit from the habitat conservation, which will also improve soil drainage and health.
The project’s 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Bates County will also breathe new life into a few countywide services. Clearway has already committed $1 million this year to help the county purchase emergency equipment, as well as a $288,000 annual agreement for the next ten years for roads and bridges, and $200,000 to towns of Amoret and Amsterdam for public safety improvements.
Clearway Energy Group officials expect the Swan Energy Center to begin commercial operations in 2028. The company’s current renewable energy portfolio compromises about 13.9 GW of gross capacity across 27 states.
