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Sunstone Solar is a 1.2 GW solar and 1.2 GW battery storage project planned for eastern Oregon.
Solar developer Pine Gate Renewables has announced that it has received final discretionary approval from the Oregon Energy Facilities Siting Board, marking the final step in a public evaluation and engagement process. The company is now cleared to move forward with SunStone Solar, which will become the largest solar project once completed.
The project, located in eastern Oregon, consists of 1.2 GW of solar power and 1.2 GW of 7.2 GWh energy storage facilities. For context, the entire state of Oregon has 1.9 GW of cumulative solar installations in its history, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Suntone Solar will also involve the construction of an interconnection substation, six collector substations, four operations and maintenance buildings, up to 9.5 miles of 230 kV overhead transmission lines, and other structures such as roads, perimeter fences and gates. The project will interconnect with the Bonneville Power Administration through the Umatilla Electric Cooperative system.
The facility is permitted to occupy up to approximately 9,442 acres of private, agricultural-use land in Morrow County, Oregon.
“As a lifelong resident of Morrow County, I am excited to see Sunstone Solar move forward so that the local community can benefit from the economic opportunities the project will bring,” said Ken Grieb, a wheat farmer and landowner on the project. “Pine Gate has demonstrated how the development of large energy facilities can be done with thoughtfulness and collaboration.”
Documentation on the approval process and environmental impact studies can be consulted here .
“Oregon’s energy facility permitting process is one of the most rigorous in the country,” said Ben Catt, CEO of Pine Gate Renewables. “The recent unanimous permit approval is a testament to how our team worked with stakeholders to provide a mutual benefit for Oregon and the Morrow County community.”
Pine Gate said it is in discussions with local customers and utilities to purchase the electricity and associated environmental credits from the project. The company expects engineering and contracting to begin in early 2025, with phased construction to begin in 2026. Pine Gate Renewables owns and operates 17 other solar projects in Oregon. The company acquired the Sunstone Solar project from Gallatin Power Partners in 2022.
The SEIA reports that Oregon gets about 4% of its electricity from solar energy, enough to power about 250,000 homes. The states solar industry employs about 4,000 people. |
