Clear the Way for Solar

Missouri project under construction; could power up to 200,000 homes

Clearway Energy Group, a San Francisco-based renewable energy company, recently announced it has closed financing and begun construction on the Swan Energy Center, a 650 MW solar facility located on portions of formerly strip-mined land in northwestern Bates County, Missouri, according to an October 6 press release.

The project, Clearway’s first in Missouri, is contracted under a 20-year power purchase agreement and is part of a 1.2 GW portfolio of projects Clearway announced earlier this year.

Swan Energy Center will deliver near-term, carbon-free energy to support load growth in the region while generating enough electricity annually to meet the needs of approximately 200,000 homes.“The Swan Energy Center represents a significant investment in Bates County, delivering reliable clean energy and economic benefits to the region,” said John Woody, Chief Development Officer at Clearway. “We’re grateful to our local partners for their trust in welcoming Clearway to the community.”

Clearway partnered with Blattner Energy on construction, which is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs at peak activity, with several long-term technician positions available once the project comes online.

Clearway has structured a 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Bates County that will generate more than $80 million in new revenue over the life of the agreement for the local school district and other county services. Clearway has also committed:

• $1 million this year to help Bates County purchase emergency equipment;

• $288,000 annually for the first ten years of the project’s operations to support 24 townships and road districts within Bates County for road and bridge departments; and

• $200,000 to the towns of Amoret and Amsterdam for improvements in their public safety equipment

  
  

Swan Energy Center, which will use American-made solar panels and other equipment, is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028. The site will maintain native grasses and floral resources to support habitat for pollinator species, such as the monarch butterfly, and help improve soil drainage and health.