Iberdrola Group subsidiary Avangrid has commenced commercial operations at its 202 megawatts defined conditions (MWdc) Powell Creek solar project in Putnam County, near Miller City in the northwest of the US state of Ohio.

The development marks the company’s second power facility in the state, following the 304MW Blue Creek project, completed in 2012. It generates sufficient electricity to power the equivalent of 30,000 homes annually.

The project’s initiation is a strategic move to bolster the regional electric grid in anticipation of peak summer 2025 demand. It provides new energy capacity to support the increasing power requirements from data centres, domestic manufacturing and electrification trends.

The installation includes 300,000 solar panels and has created 500 jobs during its construction phase, with the majority taken by local union workers.

Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra stated: “Putting this critical project into service demonstrates Avangrid’s unique ability to deliver on the energy needs of communities across the country. In addition to this needed power, Powell Creek is providing important benefits to the local, state and regional economies.

“Projects like this represent significant capital investments that generate hundreds of construction jobs, permanent employment opportunities, and new tax revenue that support important public services in the local community.”

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The project enhances the local electric grid and makes significant economic contributions through job creation, tax revenue generation and landowner payments.

Powell Creek will inject an estimated $31m into local taxing jurisdictions over its lifetime, alongside annual lease payments of around $1.1m.

Miller City mayor Jim Erford stated: “This is a major economic development opportunity that will help us grow for the first time in many years, bringing new families and businesses to our Northwest Ohio community.”

The company’s total installed capacity in the state is now more than 500MW – enough to supply electricity to 100,000 US homes annually.

Avangrid’s Ohio operations contributed approximately $3m in state and local taxes in 2024 and around $5m in lease payments to landowners. The company currently employs 22 individuals in Ohio.

Since the start of 2025, Avangrid has added 600MW of energy capacity to the US grid. The company currently operates 10.5GW of energy capacity from 80 power facilities across the country.

In March 2025, Avangrid commenced commercial operations of its True North solar project in Texas, US.