BP Strikes Corporate Solar PPA Deal For US Project With Meta

• bp has secured Meta as the offtaker of its 134 MW DC solar power plant in the US, developed by Lightsource bp
• Scheduled to come online in early 2024, it will use First Solar modules and trackers from Nextracker
• In Australia, bp's AREH project has been allocated land in Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area, giving the project certainty to move forward

British oil and gas multinational bp has entered a corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with technology group Meta for its 134 MW DC/107 MW AC Arche Solar Project in Ohio, US that's to be equipped with First Solar modules and Nextracker trackers.

Under construction in Fulton County, Arche Solar Project is helmed by bp America and has been developed by bp's 50:50 joint venture partner Lightsource bp. The Renewable Energy & Storage team of McCarthy Building Companies has been hired to provide EPC services.

During the construction period, it is expected to create around 200 jobs and also provide $30 million in revenues to benefit local public services over its life, shared bp. On completion in early 2024, the solar power plant is expected to generate approximately 208,000 MWh annually, equivalent of powering more than 20,000 US homes annually.

The company chose the location due to high quality solar resources and proximity to bulk power transmission system and transportation routes.

"This agreement shows how companies can create jobs, invest in the US economy, and at the same time support net zero ambitions and help the world reduce carbon emissions," said bp America Chairman and President Dave Lawler. For bp, this PV plant is part of its plans to develop 20 GW net renewable generating capacity by 2025 and 50 GW by 2030.

Meta targets to achieve 100% renewable energy for all its global operations. In the US with 3.58 GW contracted solar power capacity till June 2022, it is leading the pack of corporate offtakers (see US Corporate Solar Contracted Capacity Now Nearly 19 GW Strong).

In a related news from bp's renewable energy related activities, the company's Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) has secured land in Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) in Pilbara, Western Australia.

The strategic location provides the hub access to Port Hedland. The British company owns 40.5% share of this hub that targets to install 26 GW large scale wind and solar power capacity (see 26 GW Renewable Energy Project Rechristened In Australia).