D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the Rocket and Horseshoe Solar projects in Utah. The projects, expected to total 155 MWac, will support Facebook’s Eagle Mountain Data Center, through PPAs with Rocky Mountain Power.

Both projects are owned and being developed by DESRI.

Rocket Solar is an 80 MWac solar facility to be built outside of Corinne in Box Elder County, Utah. Horseshoe Solar is a 75 MWac solar facility to be built outside of Grantsville in Tooele County, Utah.

Both projects are scheduled to begin operations in 2022 to supply clean solar energy to Facebook under the Schedule 34 Renewable Energy Tariff, which enables customers to work with Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp and part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, to meet its renewable energy goals by facilitating the construction and contracting of new renewable energy projects.

The projects will help Facebook meet its goal of supporting its operations in the region with 100% renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75%.

“The DESRI team is thrilled to expand our strong working relationships with Facebook and PacifiCorp to deliver cost-effective renewable power to Utah. These projects will create jobs, tax revenue, and other local economic development in communities across the state as Utah becomes a leader in the clean energy economy.”

Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI.

“We’re very proud to partner with DESRI to help meet the renewable energy needs of Facebook. These projects represent important economic investments in rural Utah which will significantly increase the amount of solar energy produced by the state.”

Ryan McGraw, vice president – Project Development of PacifiCorp.

The facilities are expected to generate up to 200 construction jobs and will support DESRI’s ongoing renewable energy project construction efforts in the state.

“As one of the leading per-capita manufacturing counties in the Western United States we are excited to have the Rocket Solar project in Box Elder County. We’re looking forward to the future of clean energy, and the opportunities that will be provided to existing businesses as well as any new ones that may come to Box Elder County and the State of Utah.”

Jeff Hadfield, commissioner of Box Elder County.

“Tooele County is excited to host the Horseshoe Solar project and values the long term economic benefits and technological innovation that it will bring. We have appreciated Enyo and DESRI’s collaborative approach and look forward to a continued partnership as the project approaches construction and operations. We are proud to be on the forefront of Utah’s new energy economy.”

Shawn Milne, commissioner of Tooele County.

The Rocket and Horseshoe solar projects were initially developed and permitted by Enyo Renewable Energy, a joint venture among affiliates of Enyo and MAP® Energy. Funds managed by MAP® Energy also retain a minority equity ownership interest in the projects.

“MAP® and Enyo formed Enyo Renewable Energy to create projects that will lead the transformation of the Utah energy landscape by providing consumers with the local renewable energy sources they increasingly demand, while providing substantial economic benefits to communities throughout the region.”

Christine Mikell, founder and CEO of Enyo.

“The companies driving economic growth and job creation now require vast supplies of non-polluting and cost-effective sources of electricity. In our longstanding partnership with Enyo we have focused on the development of a number of projects adjacent to the Wasatch Front that deliver an ideal solution to accelerate the decarbonization of regional power supply while also improving local air quality.”

Aaron Zubaty, managing partner of MAP®.