Blue Ridge Energy, a member-owned electric cooperative serving northwest North Carolina, has selected Oriden to develop a 11-MW solar project as part of its Brighter Future initiative. The co-op is targeting to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In addition, United Renewable Energy will EPC the project.
“To meet our sustainability goals while upholding our commitments to reliability and affordability, we are focusing our efforts on areas that make the electric grid more flexible, efficient, resilient, and capable of supporting new energy solutions and the vitality of our communities. We look forward to implementing Oriden’s custom-designed large-scale solar solution, which we have named Brighter Future Solar, to help meet our goals,” said Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson.
The Brighter Future Solar project will cover 50 acres in southern Caldwell County. Scheduled to come online this year, the Brighter Future Solar project will generate 19,000 MWh annually. Blue Ridge Energy will purchase the full output of the project through a 25-year fully bundled Power Purchase Agreement.
Michael Berlin, Director of Energy Development at Oriden, said, “Blue Ridge Energy’s investment in solar shows great leadership and ensures its members’ energy generation needs are met sustainably and affordably. Oriden appreciates Blue Ridge Energy’s partnership and will execute with a focus on exceptional quality as it brings northwestern North Carolina a Change in Power.”
