RWE and Google have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement for the full output of RWE’s 155-megawatt Crooked Creek Solar project in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, the companies announced on August 3.
Under the agreement, Google will purchase electricity generated by the solar project to support its operations in the Southwest Power Pool market. The project is expected to provide affordable, locally sourced electricity for Oklahoma while delivering long-term economic benefits to McCurtain County and nearby communities.
RWE plans to begin onsite construction later this year, with commercial operations expected to start in 2028. During peak construction, the project is expected to employ up to 250 workers. It is also projected to generate about 24.3millioninlocaleconomicactivityand24.3millioninlocaleconomicactivityand1.4 million in state and local tax revenue for McCurtain County.
Once operational, Crooked Creek Solar is expected to provide an estimated $25 million in revenue for county programs, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers.
Ingmar Ritzenhofen, chief commercial officer of RWE Americas, said the agreement reflects growing demand for affordable, reliable and domestically produced energy. He said the project shows how strategic partnerships can support new energy development while creating jobs, generating local tax revenue and strengthening communities.
Will Conkling, director of energy and power at Google, said supporting a strong, stable and affordable grid is a top priority as the company expands its infrastructure. He said the agreement with RWE would add new generation to the local system and increase affordable and reliable power supply for Oklahoma and the region.
Crooked Creek Solar will be RWE’s first solar project in Oklahoma. The company also owns and operates the 148-megawatt Boiling Springs wind project in Woodward County and has six additional power projects totaling 1.6 gigawatts under development across the state.
RWE currently operates about 13 gigawatts of installed generation capacity in the United States, including solar, onshore wind and battery storage assets across 27 states. By 2031, the company plans to invest a net €17 billion in the United States and add 9 gigawatts of new generation capacity, increasing its total U.S. installed capacity to 22 gigawatts.
