Summary
Located in Logan County, Oklahoma, 39 miles north of Oklahoma City, Horizon Hill Wind will be the second-largest wind project in TransAlta’s renewable energy portfolio in the United States. The wind facility will have a nameplate capacity of 200 MW. It is currently being constructed and will be owned and operated by TransAlta, further expanding its renewables fleet in the United States. The project enables TransAlta to provide a clean energy solution to a leading corporate energy customer in support of its 100 per cent renewable energy goal for its global operations.
About Meta
Meta (formerly known as Facebook) builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions worldwide. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
Our Solution
In 2011, Meta announced its commitment to source 100 per cent renewable energy to support its global operations and achieved that goal in 2020. The company supports renewable projects that share the same electric grids that power its data centers by collaborating with utilities, regulators, and companies like TransAlta to find the best solutions for a clean and sustainable grid.
To help Meta continue to achieve its decarbonization objectives, TransAlta will deliver a renewable power solution that supplies electricity to the same energy grid that powers its data centers in the region.
The facility will consist of 34 Vestas turbines, with construction expected to begin in Q4 2022 and a target commercial operation date in the second half of 2023. The total project capital for the Horizon Hill Wind facility is estimated at approximately US$290 million to US$310 million. Over 90 per cent of the project costs are captured under executed fixed-price turbine supply agreements with Vestas and an executed engineering, procurement, and construction agreement with Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives (“IEA”). Meta will receive the contracted electricity and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from TransAlta through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), enabling the company to support its regional operations with renewable energy.
“As our footprint grows, it’s key that we find strong partners who can help us continue to meet our renewable energy goal by bringing new renewable energy to the grid. We are excited to partner with TransAlta to make this 200 MW project a reality.“
Urvi Parekh, Meta Director of Renewable Energy
The map above shows the approximate location of the wind facility.
The Result
The Horizon Hill Wind project is a perfect example of both companies reaching their near-term and long-term clean energy targets and decarbonization goals. The wind facility is expected to generate 756,400 MWh of clean energy annually. With a fixed-price plan through a Power Purchase Agreement, TransAlta can provide maximum cost reductions for Meta with an energy solution tailored to its business needs. The success in establishing a long-term partnership through this project has created the foundation for future collaborations that will continue to support both Meta’s and TransAlta’s evolving sustainability goals.
