Geronimo and Cargill Announce VPPA for 200 MW Solar Project

Geronimo Energy and Cargill have announced the execution of a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for the 200 MW Prairie Wolf Solar Project in Illinois.

Geronimo Energy, a National Grid company, and Cargill have announced the execution of a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for the Prairie Wolf Solar Project in Coles County, Illinois. The contract marks the second renewable energy VPPA executed between Cargill and Geronimo, the first being for a portion of the Crocker Wind Farm in Clark County, South Dakota.

Prairie Wolf is a 200 megawatt (MW) clean solar energy project located in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. The project is anticipated to begin operations at the end of 2021.

Once operational, it is poised to represent the largest single solar investment in the State of Illinois, as well as one of the largest solar developments east of the Mississippi and one of the largest single project VPPAs in the country. Using the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, the project is estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by 285,000 metric tons annually.

“We’re pleased to partner with Geronimo Energy on another renewable energy project that moves Cargill in the right direction toward our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our operations by 10 percent by 2025. This new solar power project is the latest example of how we are working with partners to change the way we power our operations, taking advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of renewable power,” said Eric Hoegger, Director of Global Renewable Energy for Cargill.

Geronimo has successfully developed over 400 MW of operational renewable energy projects in Illinois, including the Green River and Walnut Ridge Wind Farms in Lee, Bureau, and Whiteside counties. Geronimo’s long and positive history of development in the state of Illinois translates to strong support for Prairie Wolf.

“In addition to being climate-positive, Prairie Wolf is also an agriculture-positive project,” added Blake Nixon, Chief Executive Officer for Geronimo. “Renewable energy projects like Prairie Wolf provide much-needed stability and predictability for America’s farming communities. It is fitting that a company like Cargill, an agri-business committed to farmers and the communities they serve, contracts for a project that will benefit the local rural economy and further Geronimo’s own commitment to conduct business in a farmer-friendly manner.”