Appalachian Power signs agreement for 20 MW of solar in Virginia
Appalachian Power has added 20 megawatts (MW) of solar power to its renewable portfolio through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Leatherwood Solar, a solar generation facility in Henry County, Va.
The Leatherwood Solar facility, developed by Energix Renewables, is located just east of Martinsville. Also, in the next several months, the company plans to add another 35 MW of solar power to its mix when the 15 MW Depot Solar Center in Campbell County, Va. and Energix Renewables’ 20 MW Wythe County, Va. facilities go online.
“Solar is a big part of our overall clean energy strategy,” Chris Beam, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer, said. “Our signed agreements demonstrate our commitment to providing affordable clean energy for our customers and meeting the targets established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).”
The Virginia General Assembly, passed in 2020, seeks to end carbon dioxide emissions from the utility industry in Virginia. Appalachian Power intends to meet its VCEA targets primarily through future investments in solar, wind, energy storage, and energy efficiency measures.
“We are excited to cooperate with AEP to deliver clean energy and applaud them for their commitment to meet their clean energy goals,” Asa Levinger, Energix Renewable Energies Ltd. CEO, said. “We look forward to deepening our cooperation with AEP and to bringing more power to the grid.”
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power).
