Silicon Ranch has announced it will develop, own, and operate a 100-megawatt solar facility in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, in partnership with Central Electric Power Cooperative. The new installation is intended to supply renewable energy to Meta’s first data center in the state, which is under construction in the Sage Mill Industrial Park near Graniteville.
Central Electric Power Cooperative will purchase the energy generated by the new solar facility for its statewide portfolio, while Aiken Electric Cooperative, one of Central’s member cooperatives, will supply Meta’s data center directly. Meta will receive all renewable energy credits associated with its share of the facility’s output. The project is expected to be operational by 2027 and represents a capital investment of over $100 million, according to Silicon Ranch.
The Orangeburg County solar installation will be built with nearly all equipment sourced from US manufacturers, says Silicon Ranch. The company also notes the site will be managed using its regenerative land stewardship program, which incorporates deep-rooted, multi-species grasses and pollinator habitats under and around the solar array.
“As Meta progresses construction on our data center in South Carolina, we are pleased to join our new utility partners Central and Aiken Electric Cooperative and our long-term trusted partner Silicon Ranch to announce this project together,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta. “We’re grateful to Central for supporting our energy goals in South Carolina and thrilled to expand our relationship with Silicon Ranch, who shares our commitment to have a positive impact in the communities where we locate.”
“Domestic infrastructure and access to energy are among the most critical factors for economic development, and Silicon Ranch is pleased to partner with Central to help deliver the power generation that Meta requires in support of its significant investment in South Carolina,” said Reagan Farr, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch. “We’re honored by the confidence and trust that Meta continues to place in our team to execute on their behalf and grateful to be part of this compelling journey with them while also expanding our meaningful relationship with Central with this additional investment in the state.”
“As the power supplier for South Carolina’s 19 electric cooperatives, Central is laser-focused on meeting our state’s growing energy demands at competitive prices and in a safe and responsible manner,” said Rob Hochstetler, President and CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative. “Our expanded partnership with Silicon Ranch supports our ability to deliver toward this mission, and we are thrilled to help welcome Meta to South Carolina.”
Source: Silicon Ranch
