RWE begins on-site construction of its first utility-scale solar project in Illinois to meet rapidly growing demand for clean energy

RWE, a leading U.S. renewable energy company, is building its first utility-scale solar project in Illinois to help the state meet its rapidly growing demand for clean energy. The Casey Fork Solar project is part of RWE’s continued expansion in the US, which plans to grow its renewable energy portfolio from over 9 gigawatts (GW) of net installed capacity today to over 19 GW net by 2030.

Casey Fork Solar will provide new local economic activity, jobs and tax revenue while supporting Illinois’ clean energy ambitions. To help meet greenhouse gas reduction goals set in the landmark Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021, the state’s three utilities Ameren, ComEd and MidAmerican Energy have entered into agreements to purchase renewable energy credits from RWE’s Casey Farm Fork Solar.

Construction is currently underway on the 150 MWac Casey Fork solar farm located in Jefferson County, Illinois. Once operational, the new solar facility will increase RWE’s renewable energy capacity in Illinois to more than 750 megawatts (MW), which will be able to generate enough electricity to power more than 165,000 average homes and businesses. Casey Fork Solar adds to the company’s three operating wind farms, which provide a total of 605 MW of clean energy to the state.

Hanson Wood, development director, renewable energy sources at RWE Clean Energy: “Across the United States, communities are seeing the benefits of new clean energy infrastructure that creates job opportunities, supports economic growth and strengthens the local tax base. We look forward to bringing these and other benefits to local communities across the country, such as Jefferson County, where the RWE Casey Fork Solar project will create hundreds of local jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic output.”

Powering communities and driving growth

RWE is committed to supporting the communities in which it builds, owns and operates its facilities. Jefferson County is a growing manufacturing and energy infrastructure center. Casey Fork Solar will bring new economic, educational and environmental benefits to the area, including a total of approximately $22 million in property taxes for all taxing districts over the life of the project. This includes more than $13 million in total school district revenue over the life of the project.

Tony Iriti, executive director of the Jefferson County Development Corporation: “The Casey Fork Solar project is the first utility-scale renewable energy project in Jefferson County and further enhances our ability to attract sustainability-minded businesses to the region.”

During construction, RWE’s Casey Fork Solar is expected to create more than 200 construction jobs in Jefferson County and is estimated to generate more than $36 million in economic activity. RWE commissioned McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. implementation of the Casey Fork project.

Additionally, as part of RWE’s proactive procurement strategy, the company has proactively secured high-voltage equipment such as main power transformers and high-voltage circuit breakers to ensure timely completion of projects such as Casey Fork.

In addition to creating new economic and employment opportunities in the area, RWE supports local education and arts programs and donates thousands of dollars to the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.

For more information, visit Americas.rwe.com.