EDP Renewables Breaks Ground on 250-MW Arkansas Solar Project for Meta
- AI Energy Demand News
Marin Holt
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- 7 minutes read
- Project capacity: 250-MW
- Expected completion: 2028
- Total Meta-EDPR NA contracted capacity: 545 MW
- Projected county tax revenue: $25 million
- Local community contributions: $77,000
EDP Renewables North America broke ground on the Cypress Knee Solar project on November 4. The 250-MW solar installation is located in Chicot County in the southeastern corner of Arkansas. Solar Power World and Electrek reported the start of construction. The facility is expected to be completed by 2028.
The project is supported by a long-term power purchase agreement with Facebook parent company Meta, Solar Power World reported. Electrek reported that Cypress Knee Solar is the third clean-energy deal between Meta and EDPR NA. The agreement brings the total capacity covered by Meta deals with EDPR NA to 545 MW.
Electrek reported that the contract helps Meta work toward its pledge to match 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy generation. However, Electrek noted that Meta is not powering its data centers with renewables around the clock. The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is also backing new gas plants to meet its growing power demand.
Solar Power World reported that Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America, welcomed the project milestone. Ganapathy stated that breaking ground at Cypress Knee Solar marks an important milestone for the project and for Arkansas’ growing role in America’s energy future.
PV Tech reported that the project is expected to support several hundred jobs at peak construction. This construction phase provides opportunities for local workers, contractors and suppliers.
Solar Power World reported that Cypress Knee Solar is expected to contribute $25 million in tax revenue to Chicot County once operational. The tax payments will fund schools, infrastructure improvements, emergency services and other community priorities.
EDPR NA is also contributing more than $77,000 to local organizations and programs in Chicot County, Solar Power World reported. The contributions include support for the restoration of the Lakeside High School greenhouse. The company is also providing resources for the Lakeside Robotics team and funding for the Lake Village food pantry.
Why It Matters
The Cypress Knee Solar deal highlights how technology firms structure clean-power agreements to meet annual renewable targets. Meta’s long-term agreement with EDPR NA covers 250-MW of solar capacity, raising their combined clean-energy total to 545 MW across three contracts. That capacity supports Meta’s commitment to match 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable generation.
The project also underscores the contrast between annual renewable accounting and physical grid demand. While the agreement contributes to Meta’s annual renewable generation totals, Meta is simultaneously backing new gas plants to satisfy expanding electricity consumption. In addition, Cypress Knee Solar will not deliver power until its scheduled completion in 2028.
At the county level, the facility provides direct economic and municipal revenues. Chicot County is slated to receive $25 million in tax revenue once the project operates, alongside several hundred construction jobs during peak activity. EDPR NA has also directed more than $77,000 to local schools and community services.
Critical Perspective
Corporate clean power pledges often mask the physical realities of grid operation and expanding technology demand. Electrek reported that the agreement brings the total capacity covered by Meta deals with EDPR NA to 545 MW. Even so, Electrek noted that Meta is backing new gas plants to satisfy growing power needs because solar projects cannot run around the clock. Does buying intermittent solar capacity justify corporate sustainability claims when continuous operational growth relies on new fossil fuel facilities?
