Google has signed a 440MW solar Power Purchase Agreement for the entire capacity of the Big Island solar plant in Mississippi County. The project, developed by Pattern Energy, broke ground in July.
Google stated in the release that the PPA was "added based on Arkansas Public Service Commission guidance from the initial filing of the resource." In early September, the Arkansas Public Service Commission denied Entergy Arkansas' request to enter a PPA with the plant.
The deal is expected to support the development of up to 1.4GWh of battery energy storage capacity by 2028. The projects include a 1,000MWh BESS facility located at the site of the 313MW Driver Solar Project in Mississippi County, slated for completion in 2028. A 400MWh BESS facility near Hot Springs is also expected to be completed in 2028.
The release explicitly states that Google will cover the costs associated with the project under a new contract. The companies claim the projects will result in "$2.1 billion in net benefits to help cover the fixed costs that all customers share." Entergy Arkansas president and CEO Laura Landreaux said Google is "paying 100 percent of its power needs" while "contributing to the existing grid and lowering the costs for everyone else."