- Pine Gate Renewables’ 2.4 GW Sunstone Solar project in Oregon received final approval, clearing the way for construction in 2026.
- The project will generate 1,200 MW of solar energy and store 1,200 MW, with plans to support local agriculture through a county-managed fund.
- Sunstone Solar, the largest in the U.S., will create jobs and boost economic opportunities while advancing Oregon’s renewable energy goals.
Pine Gate Renewables received final approval from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) for the 2.4 GW Sunstone Solar project, completing a comprehensive review process and clearing the way for construction.
Sunstone Solar will become the largest in the U.S., with 1,200 MW of solar generation and 1,200 MW of energy storage. The project will connect to the Bonneville Power Administration grid through the Umatilla Electric Cooperative. Pine Gate plans to start engineering and procurement in 2025, followed by construction in 2026.
Pine Gate collaborated with Morrow County and agricultural groups to address concerns about the impact on local farms. The company agreed to invest over $1,000 per acre into a county-managed fund to support rural programs and boost local wheat farms.
Ken Grieb, a farmer and landowner involved in the project, welcomed the economic boost. “This will bring much-needed opportunities to our community,” Grieb said, commending the balance between energy development and agricultural interests.
Federal support for renewable energy initiatives helped propel the project. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden praised Sunstone Solar, emphasising its role in addressing climate change. He credited the Inflation Reduction Act for creating incentives that drive projects like this.
Pine Gate Renewables CEO Ben Catt highlighted the importance of meeting Oregon’s stringent permitting requirements. “This approval underscores our commitment to ensuring the project benefits both the state and local community,” Catt said.
Sunstone Solar plays a critical role in Pine Gate’s strategy to expand renewable energy across the U.S. With 17 other solar projects already operating in Oregon, the company continues to solidify its leadership in the renewable energy space.
In 2022, Pine Gate acquired the Sunstone Solar project from Gallatin Power Partners, demonstrating its ability to scale up sizeable renewable energy initiatives while supporting community resilience.
Pine Gate set a precedent for large-scale energy projects coexisting with agricultural and economic interests by working closely with local stakeholders and addressing community concerns.
The project will create hundreds of jobs during construction, bringing new economic opportunities to the region. Combining solar energy generation with large-scale storage, Sunstone Solar will strengthen the grid and advance Oregon’s clean energy goals.
As Pine Gate develops this and other projects, its approach to integrating energy development with community needs is a blueprint for future renewable energy projects nationwide. Sunstone Solar stands poised to set a new benchmark for clean energy initiatives, showing how large-scale efforts can drive both environmental and economic progress.