Google secures 155 MW Oklahoma solar project in 15-year clean energy agreement

Google has agreed to purchase the entire output of RWE’s planned 155-megawatt Crooked Creek Solar project in Oklahoma under a 15-year power purchase agreement. Announced on August 3, the deal will supply electricity for Google’s operations within the Southwest Power Pool market while adding locally generated power to the regional grid. RWE plans to begin on-site construction in McCurtain County later in 2026, with commercial operations targeted for 2028. The project, RWE’s first solar development in Oklahoma, is also expected to support as many as 250 workers during peak construction and generate long-term revenue for local services and schools. Solar power for Google’s regional operations The agreement reflects the growing electricity requirements associated with Google’s expanding infrastructure. By contracting for Crooked Creek Solar’s full output, the technology company is supporting the addition of new generation capacity in a market covering Oklahoma and other parts of the central United States. Will Conkling, Director of Energy and Power, Google: “Supporting a strong, stable, affordable grid is a top priority as we expand our infrastructure, said Will Conkling, the Director of Energy and Power at Google,” he added. “Our agreement with RWE adds critical new generation to the local system, boosting the amount of affordable and reliable power supply for Oklahoma and the region,” he added. The project will deliver its power into the Southwest Power Pool, rather than serving a single Google facility directly. This arrangement allows the solar farm to support the broader regional system while helping Google meet the electricity demand created by its operations in the market. Construction could bring jobs Crooked Creek Solar is projected to generate $24.3 million in local economic activity during construction. RWE also estimates that the development phase will produce approximately $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue for McCurtain County. “This agreement with Google marks an important milestone for RWE Americas and reflects the growing demand for affordable, reliable, domestically produced energy,” said Ingmar Ritzenhofen, Chief Commercial Officer at RWE Americas. “Crooked Creek Solar demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate new energy development while creating jobs, generating local tax revenue and strengthening communities,” he said. “We’re proud to work with Google to help power its operations, while supporting Oklahoma’s continued economic growth with affordable, American-made energy, Ritzenhofen added. At peak activity, up to 250 people are expected to work onsite. Construction is scheduled to start later this year, giving RWE roughly two years to complete the facility before its planned commercial launch. Long-term benefits for McCurtain County Once the solar farm begins operating, RWE expects it to generate an estimated $25 million for county programs over its lifetime. The money is set to benefit emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers. Crooked Creek will expand RWE’s Oklahoma portfolio beyond its operating 148 MW Boiling Springs wind farm in Woodward County. The company also has six additional power projects representing 1.6 gigawatts under development across the state, positioning solar alongside wind in its regional growth plans.Together, these assets underline RWE’s effort to build a diversified power fleet capable of serving Oklahoma’s electricity demand.Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Atharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.