Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has announced the successful completion and commencement of operations for its 200-megawatt (MW) Horizon Solar Project near Pearsall in Frio County, Texas. This milestone project will provide renewable energy to Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) under a previously established Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (REPA).
The Horizon Solar Project is estimated to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to powering 1.2 million Texan households throughout its operational lifespan. Additionally, the project is expected to contribute approximately $30 million in tax payments, directly benefiting the local County and schools. During construction, the project created approximately 400 jobs, providing economic stimulus to the region.
Omar Aboudaher, LRE’s Sr. Vice President of Development, expressed gratitude for the support of the Frio County community, emphasizing the project’s successful completion and its positive impact on renewable energy provision.
Jim Gowen, Verizon’s Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain & Sourcing, and Chief Sustainability Officer, reiterated Verizon’s commitment to sustainable energy transition, highlighting partnerships with companies like LRE as instrumental in achieving energy and climate goals.
Notably, LRE’s projects are managed with a focus on environmental, social, and cultural considerations. At Horizon Solar, sustainable land management practices have been implemented, including sheep grazing for vegetation control, biodiversity management plans, and the planting of pollinator-friendly native plant species. This approach aims to increase land productivity, provide supplementary income to farmers, and contribute to the advancement of clean energy transition.
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