Invenergy has officially launched its 150-megawatt (MW) Hardin 2 Solar Energy Center, which began commercial operations in Hardin County, Ohio. This new project is expected to provide significant renewable energy capacity to the region, further bolstering the reliability of the local electrical grid.
Meta, the social media giant, has signed an agreement to purchase the renewable energy generated by the Hardin 2 Solar facility. This collaboration reflects Meta's ongoing commitment to sustainability and its efforts to meet its renewable energy targets.
Michael Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Development at Invenergy, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project. “We are grateful to work alongside the Hardin County community and our project partners to bring Hardin 2 Solar to fruition,” Kaplan said. “As energy demand continues to rise, committed partners like Meta are helping Invenergy bring more clean energy online.
In a statement about the project, Urvi Parekh, Global Head of Energy at Meta, highlighted the company's dedication to clean energy. “Meta continues to invest in opportunities that support our efforts to match our electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy,” Parekh said. “Through Hardin 2 Solar's Environmental Attribute Purchase Agreement, we take another step in achieving our energy goals while helping bring more economic benefits to project communities and delivering more reliable energy to the local grid.
The Hardin 2 Solar project not only contributes to clean energy but also provided a boost to the local economy. The project supported over 400 jobs during its construction phase and is expected to generate more than $78 million in local investments, including property taxes, landowner payments, wages, and benefits.
Invenergy's solar portfolio continues to expand in Ohio. The company anticipates the commercial operation of the Hardin 3 Solar project within the next year and expects two additional solar projects to begin construction in 2025.
