EDF Renewables and Enbridge celebrate the completion of the first phase of construction of the Fox Squirrel solar plant

EDF Renewables North America and Enbridge Inc celebrated the completion and commencement of commercial operation of the 150 MWac Fox Squirrel Solar Phase 1 solar power plant.

Once all three phases are completed in late 2024, the 577 MWac project will be one of the largest utility-scale solar investments east of the Mississippi River.

“The development and operation of Phase 1 represents a significant milestone in our journey to shape the future of renewable energy in Ohio,” said Kate O’Hair, senior vice president of land development at EDF Renewables North America. “With Fox Squirrel Solar Phase 1 currently providing renewable energy to the PJM grid, this project not only represents a significant financial commitment, but also highlights the extraordinary collaboration between our team, the county and the local community. We are very proud of this joint effort.”

Developed by EDF Renewables and owned by Enbridge, Fox Squirrel Solar will help meet growing energy demand in central Ohio, which is expected to double in the decade to 2028.

During the event, Amazon announced that it has entered into power purchase agreements for its full generation capacity, which will help Amazon meet its commitment to make all the electricity used in its operations 100% renewable by 2030. The company is currently on a path to achieving its goal by 2025. As corporations increasingly engage in renewable energy, solar projects like Fox Squirrel will help Ohio realize its goal of continuing to attract business and increase economic growth in the state .

“Amazon is the world’s largest corporate buyer of renewable energy. As part of this journey, we are proud to enable new solar and wind projects in Ohio that will not only help power our operations, but also bring carbon-free energy to the local communities where our customers, suppliers and employees live and work,” he said Kevin Miller, vice president of global data centers at AWS. “Projects like Fox Squirrel Solar also help create jobs, support local businesses and increase the local tax base, which is part of Amazon’s commitment to becoming a more sustainable company.”

“Fox Squirrel Solar plays a key role in Enbridge’s commitment to the energy transition, and we are proud to celebrate the grand opening of the project, which expands our long-standing partnership with EDF Renewables in Canada and Europe,” said Tom Carbone, vice president of energy business development, Enbridge. “Enbridge has been operating in Ohio for over 70 years, and we are excited about the additional construction, long-term operations and maintenance this project will provide, as well as the additional local economic benefits. We are also particularly pleased that the energy generated at Fox Squirrel Solar will support Amazon’s efforts to achieve its net zero goals.”

“Fox Squirrel Solar is a great example of how we can support Ohio’s business energy needs and stabilize our electricity infrastructure,” said Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber. “We now expect one of our major utilities to double their energy demand over the next five years, and the only way to keep pace with this growth is to actively develop and bring energy projects to market. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports an all-of-the-above approach to energy development, and we appreciate projects like Fox Squirrel Solar that help offset our ever-growing energy demands.

Currently, almost 400 men and women of skilled craftsmen are working on the project. At the peak of Phase 1 construction, this number increased to 650 workers. Blattner is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.

“At Blattner, we are excited about this project and our ongoing partnership with EDF Renewables,” said Chris Hodrick, senior vice president, general manager, solar and storage at Blattner. “Working with EDF Renewables, local decision-makers and construction partners, we have made a difference for Madison County communities, which is an important part of our work to lead America toward a clean energy future.”

Pat Hook, business manager, IBEW Local 683, said, “IBEW Local 683 employs skilled men and women who are capable of building best-in-class solar installations. We are trusted personnel in the electrical industry, including gas and electric utilities, maintaining power lines and lighting our homes and businesses. We were involved in the extraction of coal, natural gas and nuclear energy. And now we are electrifying America with solar energy. Ohio is at the forefront of the energy revolution, and Fox Squirrel Solar is a great example of where we are headed.”

“The Ohio Workers’ District Council is delighted with our partnership with EDF Renewables and the opportunity to build a solar facility that will help meet Ohio’s growing energy needs,” commented Ralph Cole, business manager/secretary treasurer of the Ohio Workers’ District Council. “Ohio workers build the infrastructure that sustains our way of life, provides good wages and benefits, and contributes to the bottom line of our community. Fox Squirrel Solar will create hundreds of jobs and will power the grid with energy from its own production for many years.

Scott Stevenson, IUOE Local 18, added: “Ohio Local 18 Operations Engineers is proud to support the skilled workforce of the Fox Squirrel Solar Project. The project will provide much-needed clean energy and support our energy infrastructure as we rebuild our electricity generation fleet in Ohio. Local 18 is a trusted partner of EDF Renewables and we appreciate the opportunity to work on this important project that will benefit our schools, community and employees.”

Consisting of a total of 1.4 million panels and 159 inverters, Fox Squirrel Solar represents the largest land-based renewable energy project developed by EDF Renewables North America.