SWEPCO signs PPA with DESRI for 72-MW Rocking R Solar project in Louisiana
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) signed a long-term renewable energy off-take agreement with Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) for the 72.5 MWac Rocking R Solar Project in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, which is anticipated to come online in late 2024.
DESRI has executed a twenty-year Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (REPA) with SWEPCO to support the utility’s growing renewable energy portfolio and help power local customers’ electricity needs.
Rocking R is DESRI’s first contract with SWEPCO, DESRI’s first solar project in northern Louisiana, and the first utility scale solar project built in the parish. Rocking R is part of DESRI’s growing portfolio of solar facilities in Louisiana, bringing the total contracted portfolio size to over 500MW in the state.
“We are excited to partner with DESRI to bring solar energy from the Rocking R project to our customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “This solar power purchase agreement will help our customers meet their renewable energy and sustainability goals, and it helps SWEPCO further diversify our energy resource mix.”
“This project would not have become reality without the tremendous support of the landowner, a multi-generational local property owner, and her representatives,” added SunChase Power Co-Founder and Principal Heather Otten.
DESRI will be the long-term owner and operator. Initial development of Rocking R was led by SunChase Power and Eolian Energy.
Aaron Zubaty, CEO of Eolian, added, “Eolian was specifically formed in collaboration with a global leader in infrastructure to accelerate the commercialization of the renewable energy and energy storage development assets that we have meticulously created with our partners. We are extremely proud of the Rocking R project and the perseverance shown by SunChase to make this project a reality and to bring utility-scale, local renewable energy production to northwestern Louisiana.”
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