GRID recibe una contribución de $1,2 millones de Amazon para financiar un programa de energía solar comunitaria

Para publicación inmediata

February 15, 2024 – Eastern Oregon–GRID Alternatives (GRID), the nation’s leading non-profit solar developer and installer, announces that Amazon Web Services (AWS) is investing $1.2 million to fund a community solar energy program in eastern Oregon. The funding, provided through its community outreach program AWS InCommunities, will bring the benefits of renewable energy to community facilities in the region. Through the program, GRID will install up to ten (10) solar photovoltaic systems, with up to 25kW each, on rooftops of nonprofit organizations, food banks, and other community buildings across Morrow and Umatilla counties where AWS operates data centers.

“GRID is proud to collaborate with AWS on this initiative and excited that eastern Oregon is the first community where we will work together to launch this community solar energy program,” said Dan Dumovich, GRID Alternatives Director of Strategic Initiatives. “We also look forward to working closely with local leaders and community members, allowing them to support renewable energy while experiencing its many benefits.”

This investment will reduce energy costs for community organizations and institutions participating in the program. In addition, as part of its community engagement efforts, GRID will provide hands-on workforce development and training opportunities to local job seekers and others interested in careers in the renewable energy sector.

Amazon has a longstanding commitment to the state of Oregon, investing over $28 billion since 2010, and AWS has operated data centers in eastern Oregon for over a decade. This program is one of two renewable energy investments Amazon makes to bring clean energy to eastern Oregon. It also recently announced its first utility-scale renewable energy investment in Oregon, committing to purchase more than 200,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean power each year from a Gilliam County-based 90-megawatt (MW) capacity wind farm, Amazon Wind Farm Oregon–Leaning Juniper IIA. Amazon is the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy and is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

“Amazon has a long-term commitment to the state of Oregon, which includes helping to bring more renewable energy to the grid. Our work with GRID will help expand access to renewable energy to eastern Oregon communities, and we’re excited to make that happen,” said Abhishek Sharma, Head of Energy Strategy AWS.

Installation of the solar systems, which will be at no cost to participating community facilities, is expected to begin in June and will take approximately five months to complete. Once installed, GRID will also develop the long-term maintenance and performance monitoring plan for these projects.

GRID is the nation’s largest non-profit, low-income, dedicated solar developer, installer, and job training organization. With over 20 years of experience, GRID has become a valuable partner, developer, and administrator for organizations and institutions looking for effective ways to ensure that the transition to renewable energy benefits individuals and communities that need it most.

Sobre GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers while providing hands-on job training. GRID has installed solar for more than 30,000 families and helped households and housing providers save $707 million in lifetime electricity costs while training over 33,000 people. GRID Alternatives has eight regional offices serving California, Colorado, the mid-Atlantic region, Puerto Rico, and Tribal communities nationwide and serves communities in Nicaragua, Nepal, and Mexico. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org.

Contacto de medios:

Wanda Heard, Gerente de Relaciones Públicas y Promoción

GRID Alternatives

wheard@gridalternatives.org

510. 877.5795