BHE Renewables to Invest $500m in RE-Powered Site in West Virginia

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has announced that BHE Renewables, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy business, has entered into an agreement with the State of West Virginia to purchase more than 2,000 acres of land in Ravenswood, and develop it as a renewable energy microgrid-powered industrial site. The firm will be making an investment of $500m towards this. Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC) will be the first company to locate on the site to develop a titanium melt facility that will use 100% renewable energy to manufacture titanium products for aerospace and other industries.

The West Virginia Economic Development Authority will work with BHE Renewables to bring additional businesses to the site to take advantage of the prime manufacturing location and renewable energy infrastructure.

Governor Justice said. “The partnership we are forging with BHE Renewables and PCC is testament to West Virginia’s ability to compete on the world stage and recruit world-class companies like these to our state.”

“This project demonstrates how investing in clean energy can revive economies that have served our country’s energy needs for decades,” BHE Renewables President and CEO Alicia Knapp said.

PCC Metals President Steve Wright said. “Manufacturing our products with 100% renewable energy benefits PCC and our customers as we strive to minimize the impact of our operations and wisely use natural resources.”

The Ravenswood project will serve as the foundation for additional pivotal investments in West Virginia. On Saturday, Governor Justice called a Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature to consider a bill establishing a “Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development Program,” also including renewable energy.

The West Virginia Economic Development Authority also voted to authorize an agreement for Berkshire Hathaway Energy to purchase more than 2,000 acres of land in Ravenswood. They also voted to approve a high-impact economic development project designation for Timet, which is the world’s largest producer of titanium airplane parts and a subsidiary of Precision Castparts.

“Our state’s growth-focused economic policies are second-to-none,” West Virginia Secretary of Economic Development, Mitch Carmichael said. “West Virginia is investing in smart new ways for businesses to build success around clean energy that’s here to stay.”