Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, has completed construction of its 166 Megawatt-dc (120 MWac) Tower Solar project in Morrow County, Oregon, connecting it to the regional electric grid. The facility, featuring over 250,000 U.S.-assembled solar panels manufactured by SEG Solar at its Houston facility, is set to achieve commercial operations this summer. Once operational, the project will deliver energy to Portland General Electric (PGE) to support QTS operations in the region, reflecting ongoing investments in domestic energy infrastructure and union labor. Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda emphasized that projects like Tower Solar are critical for scaling generation to meet rising electricity demand while supporting economic growth and reliable grid operations.
Tower Solar Reaches Grid Connection Milestone
The Tower Solar project spans approximately 900 acres of industrially zoned land owned by the Port of Morrow, located west of Boardman, Oregon. Avangrid created roughly 200 construction jobs, primarily filled by regional union workers, including members of IBEW Local 112. Travis Sellers, Business Manager for IBEW Local 112, highlighted the project’s long-term benefits for regional communities, noting that union labor brings unmatched skill, safety, and productivity to energy infrastructure projects. Once commissioning is complete, the facility will contribute $20 million in combined PILOTs (payment in lieu of taxes) and property taxes to support local public services, including education.
SEG Solar Modules Power Regional Energy Supply Chain
The project utilizes over 250,000 solar panels assembled by SEG Solar at its Houston manufacturing facility. SEG Solar CEO Jim Wood emphasized the company’s focus on U.S.-made, traceable modules to strengthen domestic energy infrastructure. “This project aligns with our mission to strengthen the domestic energy supply chain,” Wood said, adding that the partnership supports American manufacturing and creates local jobs. The collaboration reflects broader efforts to localize supply chains and reduce reliance on imported components, ensuring compliance with domestic energy standards while meeting growing regional demand.
Green Future Impact Program Supports Clean Energy Demand
Tower Solar will deliver electricity to PGE’s grid through the utility’s Green Future Impact (GFI) program, a voluntary initiative enabling large municipal, commercial, and industrial customers to meet sustainability goals by funding new clean energy projects. The GFI program allows participants to source non-emitting energy without raising costs for other customers, as program participants cover the incremental expenses of clean energy selection. This structure ensures all customers benefit from the energy generated while enabling corporations to directly support renewable infrastructure. Avangrid operates over 11 GW of installed capacity across its 25-state portfolio, which includes nearly 100 energy projects, underscoring its role in expanding domestic clean energy capacity.
Key Takeaways
- Avangrid completed the 166 MWdc Tower Solar project in Morrow County, Oregon, with grid connection achieved.
- The project uses over 250,000 U.S.-assembled solar panels from SEG Solar’s Houston facility.
- Tower Solar is expected to generate $20 million in taxes and PILOTs for local community services.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The Tower Solar project underscores Avangrid’s continued expansion in renewable infrastructure while leveraging domestic manufacturing partnerships. Its integration into PGE’s GFI program highlights how utilities are addressing corporate clean energy demand without broad cost increases. However, the project’s long-term impact on grid reliability and regional energy pricing remains to be seen, particularly as more large-scale solar comes online. Executives should monitor how such developments align with broader permitting and supply chain challenges in the sector.
Source: Businesswire
