EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) and minority-owned renewable energy developer Volt Energy Utility announced a new partnership today to launch the development of Hickory Solar Park, a new solar project based near Jerseyville, Illinois.

The companies also announced that Microsoft will purchase electricity and renewable energy credits (RECs) for 15 years from the new project.

The new agreement uses an Environmental Justice PPA (EJ PPA) form developed by Microsoft and Volt Energy, which focuses on clean energy investments in rural and urban communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices and behind in securing the benefits of a clean energy economy.

According to the companies, the EJ PPA, will enable Hickory to contribute funding to enable the Sharing the Power Foundation to administer funds to mission-aligned programs. Founded by Volt, the foundation’s mission is to build the next generation of environment justice leaders through the equitable distribution of opportunities produced by the clean energy economy.

Gilbert Campbell, Founder & CEO of Volt Energy Utility, and Foundation Board Chair for the Sharing the Power Foundation said:

“We are excited to continue our work with Microsoft and partner with EDPR NA for the first time to address environmental injustice, invest in clean energy infrastructure, and facilitate clean energy and sustainability business pathways for minority-owned entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as students looking to start a career.”

The agreement marks the second environmental justice program for EDPR NA, which last year unveiled a solar and wind technical training facility in Bloomington, IL, and has also committed to ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses serve in prominent leadership roles in project management and construction for Hickory.

Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO, EDPR NA said:

“Aligning efforts with partners who share our passion for implementing equitable strategies contributing to local community growth is front and center of importance to us. Together with Microsoft and Volt, we have the opportunity to prioritize people first by creating jobs and opening doors to women and minority-owned businesses who need to be involved in driving a just clean energy future.”

Hickory will purchase and retire carbon offsets proportionate to the emissions generated by its upstream material components and on-site construction and operations impacts as part of a project-level carbon neutrality pledge.

Kourtney Nelson, Senior Director of Renewable Energy Procurement, Microsoft said:

“We are pleased to work with EDP Renewables and Volt Energy in reducing our environmental impact, and helping under-resourced communities build climate resilience.”