Ribbon-cutting event highlights one of the largest solar investments in Oklahoma, advancing critical energy infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy), a leading U.S. renewable energy company, today celebrated major operational and construction milestones across its Oklahoma solar portfolio during a ribbon-cutting event. Representing approximately $1.5 billion in investment, the projects comprise one of the largest solar portfolios in the state and highlight LRE's successful delivery of large-scale energy infrastructure that provides real operating capacity, supporting Google operations, and creating long-term value for Oklahoma communities. These projects are helping deliver reliable, cost-effective, domestically produced energy that supports Google operations, strengthens grid reliability, and helps meet growing electricity demand while contributing to Oklahoma's growing economy.
LRE’s Oklahoma portfolio now totals 725 MW of solar generation capacity and includes:
- Salt Branch Solar 1 & 2 (145 MW)
- Huckleberry Solar (125 MW)
- Mayes Solar (102 MW)
- Twelvemile Solar 1 & 2 (153 MW combined)
- Twelvemile 3 Solar Project (200 MW, under construction)
Salt Branch Solar, Huckleberry Solar, and Mayes Solar collectively comprise the Mayes County Solar Portfolio. Twelvemile Solar 1 & 2 are located in nearby Bryan County, while Twelvemile Solar 3 is located in Johnston County.
Together, these projects reinforce Oklahoma’s growing role in attracting business investment, advancing digital infrastructure, and delivering energy resources needed to support long-term economic growth. As electricity demand continues to increase, investments in generation infrastructure help strengthen grid reliability while supporting the power needs of communities, businesses, and critical industries across the region and generating significant economic benefits for local communities.
Salt Branch Solar 1 & 2, Huckleberry Solar, Mayes Solar, and Twelvemile Solar 1 & 2 support Google operations in Oklahoma and help deliver the electricity needed to support growing operations and continued regional development. Strategically sited and functionally co-located from an electrical standpoint, the projects help support Google's Oklahoma operations and demonstrate LRE's focus on delivering infrastructure close to areas of growing electricity demand.
Mayes Solar and Salt Branch Solar 1 deliver electricity under firm transmission service to GRDA (Grand River Dam Authority), while Salt Branch 2 and Huckleberry deliver under AEP (American Electric Power). Twelvemile Solar 1 & 2 deliver under firm transmission service to OG&E (Oklahoma Gas & Electric), supporting regional reliability and helping meet growing electricity demand across Oklahoma.
“This portfolio represents a major investment in Oklahoma's energy future and demonstrates the scale of infrastructure required to support rising electricity demand and long-term economic growth,” said Jason Allen, Chief Executive Officer at LRE. “These projects reflect years of collaboration and a shared commitment to delivering the reliable, cost-effective, domestically produced energy needed to support businesses, communities, and the digital infrastructure that is driving America's economic growth.” “By working closely with local communities, landowners, utilities, customers, and development partners, we are helping strengthen grid reliability, support continued investment, and build a stronger energy future for the region.”
“Google is committed to growing in a way that supports our neighbors and strengthens the electricity grid,” said JT Tolliver, Google Data Center Operations Lead for Oklahoma and Missouri. “This new agreement with LRE will help bring more power generation online in Oklahoma, contributing to a more robust, affordable, and reliable energy system for all.”
Twelvemile Solar 1 & 2 and Huckleberry Solar have recently achieved commercial operation, while Mayes Solar and Salt Branch Solar continue advancing through construction and are expected to reach commercial operation in the coming months. The portfolio represents a significant addition of new generation online, helping reduce strain on the local grid and supporting growing electricity demand across Oklahoma. These milestones reflect continued execution momentum across LRE’s development and delivery platform, demonstrating the company’s ability to bring large-scale energy infrastructure online efficiently while supporting customers, communities, and regional energy needs.
Collectively, the Oklahoma projects have supported more than 2,000 construction jobs and are projected to generate approximately $148.8 million in state and local tax revenue over their operating lives, helping to fund schools, infrastructure, and essential public services across the region. The projects have also supported local organizations and community initiatives through charitable contributions, including nearly $90,000 invested in local schools, nonprofit organizations, economic development initiatives, Chambers of Commerce, tribal organizations, and community programs across Oklahoma. These investments are helping strengthen local communities, support workforce development, and create lasting economic value throughout the region. As a long-term owner and operator, LRE remains committed to the communities where it operates through ongoing investment, operational excellence, and strong community partnerships. The projects also contribute to a more diverse energy supply, helping meet the growing electricity needs of businesses, communities, and critical infrastructure across the state.
In addition to delivering reliable energy, LRE has implemented site-specific vegetation and biodiversity management plans across the Oklahoma portfolio. The projects feature native and naturalized pollinator-friendly vegetation designed to support habitat restoration, soil health, and long-term ecosystem resilience. Collectively, the Oklahoma projects include 7,712 acres of pollinator-friendly habitat and have achieved pollinator-friendly certification scores exceeding 85 on the Fresh Energy Pollinator-Friendly Solar Scorecard. At Twelvemile Solar 1 and 2, LRE has also incorporated sheep grazing as part of its long-term vegetation management strategy, providing an efficient and sustainable approach to vegetation management.
LRE continues to prioritize responsible development and domestic sourcing across its renewable energy portfolio. The Oklahoma projects utilize domestically manufactured equipment, supporting American supply chains, domestic manufacturing investment, and broader U.S. energy infrastructure development. Supporting the nation's growing energy needs requires not only new infrastructure but also a highly skilled workforce. As an inaugural adopting company of the American Clean Power Association's (ACP) hands-on competency certification program, LRE's solar technicians are completing the industry's first hands-on certification, helping establish consistent standards for technical excellence, safety, and workforce readiness across the renewable energy sector. Together with long-term land stewardship initiatives, these efforts reflect LRE's commitment to delivering energy infrastructure that creates lasting value for customers, communities, and the environment.
LRE also recognizes the collaboration of Red River Renewable Energy, LLC (Red River), a joint venture between SunChase Power LLC and Eolian, in advancing the projects. Red River started development of the two portfolios over 10 years ago and entered into the power purchase agreements with Google prior to LRE subsequently acquiring the two solar portfolios in separate transactions in 2024.
“We are proud to see these projects reach major milestones after years of planning and development,” said Aaron Zubaty, CEO of Eolian. “The Oklahoma portfolio demonstrates how strategically-located energy infrastructure can help meet growing electricity demand by unlocking underutilized transmission capacity and simultaneously strengthens grid reliability by siting generation proximate to the load it is serving. Although nearly a decade since we first conceived the Oklahoma portfolio projects with our partner SunChase, they will deliver lasting benefits to the region."
“These milestones reflect years of collaboration among landowners, local communities, and project partners,” said Teran Smith, Vice President at SunChase Power LLC. “We are proud to see all seven of these projects delivering on their original vision by supporting economic growth, strengthening energy infrastructure, and creating lasting benefits for Oklahoma communities.”
About LRE
Founded in Texas in 2003, LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) owns and operates 30+ wind, solar, and energy storage projects totaling over 4 GW nationwide. LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through its robust pipeline of new projects every year. We prioritize domestic jobs, local community partnerships, and protecting the land in our long-term approach to meet American energy needs. To learn more, visit www.lreus.com
About Google in Oklahoma
Google has proudly called Oklahoma home for more than a decade with a data center in Mayes County. Through programs and local initiatives that utilize Google’s tools and expertise, they’re working to help businesses, educational institutions, community collaboratives, nonprofits, and individuals create and thrive in a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. Since 2008, Google and Googlers have given more than $12 million in funding (cash grants, social impact funding, employee donations, and gift match) to organizations and nonprofits in Oklahoma.
About Eolian
Eolian operates a growing portfolio of battery energy storage projects and develops and invests in clean energy and co-located large load projects across the U.S. For over 20 years, Eolian’s founding management has worked together to build the assets at the core of the company, creating unique and proprietary structures that have directly funded the development of nearly 30 GW of operating or under-construction energy storage, solar, and wind generating capacity across the country. Eolian is owned by its employees and funds that are managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a BlackRock company and leading global infrastructure investor. For more information, follow Eolian on LinkedIn, Youtube or visit www.eolianenergy.com.
About SunChase Power
Since its founding in 2015, SunChase Power developed a utility scale renewable energy portfolio with more than 11.5 GW of solar and 3 GW of battery storage projects located in MISO South, ERCOT and SPP, including over 5 GW of solar and 675 MW of storage that are currently operating or under construction. Please visit sunchasepower.com for more information about SunChase.
Contacts
For more information: Otilia Ayats-Mas otilia.ayatsmas@leewardenergy.com
