Geronimo Power (formerly National Grid Renewables) has launched construction on the 250MW Portage Solar Project in Portage County, Wisconsin, US.
The Portage Solar Project is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market. In addition to this, Geronimo Power is constructing the Apple River Solar Project in Polk County, Wisconsin, which broke ground earlier this year.
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According to Geronimo Power, the Portage Solar Project marks its first partnership with engineering, procurement, and construction contractor Burns & McDonnell.
The project is expected to generate over 300 construction jobs and is supported by a power purchase agreement with Microsoft, signed in October 2024. Geronimo Power anticipates that the solar power project will begin operations in 2027.
Burns & McDonnell chair and CEO Leslie Duke said: “As demand for data centres continues to grow, so does the need for reliable, renewable energy.
“We are proud to support Geronimo Power in the build-out of the Portage site. Together with local union halls and contractors, we are supporting the workforce and strengthening the community as we build.”
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By GlobalDataCovering an area of about 1,800 acres, the project will connect to the electric grid via the Plover 115kV Substation.
Economically, it is projected to contribute over $73m in direct benefits to the local economy over the first 20 years of operation. This includes new tax revenue of $24m, which will be allocated to local county and township governments.
Alongside contributions from the Apple River Solar Project, the combined direct economic impact throughout Wisconsin is expected to exceed $100m.
Geronimo Power construction vice-president Joe Ibrahim said: “The true value of renewable energy isn’t in the power it provides to the local grid.
“It’s about the immensely positive impact to local economies in the form of new revenue streams and job creation. We anticipate the addition of Portage Solar to our Wisconsin portfolio will contribute more than $100m statewide – that’s a huge milestone for us and a big win for our project communities.”
In addition to its economic contributions, the Portage Solar Project will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 317,500 tonnes annually.
This reduction equates to removing around 74,000 cars from roadways each year or meeting the electrical needs of approximately 66,100 homes annually.
