Orsted, a prominent U.S. clean energy developer, has secured an 80MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with global media giant Bloomberg.
The deal pertains to the renewable energy output generated by the Mockingbird Solar Center, a 471 MW solar project presently in the construction phase near Paris, Texas.
Bloomberg stands as one of four major corporate entities procuring power from the Mockingbird Solar Center, alongside Covestro and Royal DSM. This strategic alliance catapults the Mockingbird project to full contractual status for its entire 471 MW capacity.
Bloomberg, a participant in the RE100 global corporate initiative since 2016, has committed to sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy. In 2022, the company secured 192,533 MWh of renewable energy from 11 different projects, constituting 54.6 percent of Bloomberg’s global purchased electricity. The additional renewable energy anticipated from the Mockingbird Solar Center is poised to cover 100 percent of Bloomberg’s U.S. electricity consumption and a substantial 80 percent of its global electricity needs.
Dave Wildman, Global Head of Facilities, Sustainability Ops, MEP Infrastructure at Bloomberg, expressed optimism about the collaboration with Orsted, stating, “We look forward to partnering with Orsted on the purchase of renewable energy to progress our RE100 target while also meaningfully contributing to conservation efforts.”
A distinctive feature of the Mockingbird Solar Center is the agreement between Orsted and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). This collaboration aims to conserve nearly 1,000 acres of rare, native tallgrass prairie adjacent to the solar project. Orsted’s commitment involves the purchase of over half of the Smiley-Woodfin National Prairie Grassland, with plans to donate the land to The Nature Conservancy upon the project’s operationalization.
Monica Testa, Head of Origination, Americas at Orsted, highlighted the project’s commitment to responsible clean energy development, stating, “Orsted’s commitment to the responsible development of clean energy at Mockingbird Solar Center demonstrates that conservation and clean energy can coexist.”
The Mockingbird Solar Center has proven beneficial to the local economy, contributing to revenue for local school districts and the county. The project has generated 500 jobs during peak construction and is expected to infuse $215 million into the local economy over its operational lifespan. This development builds on Orsted’s footprint in Texas, comprising 12 wind, solar, and storage projects, representing an investment exceeding $3 billion in the Lone Star State.