Google will buy the entire output of RWE's first Oklahoma solar project under a 15-year power purchase agreement, the two companies said. The deal covers the 155-megawatt (MWac) Crooked Creek Solar project in McCurtain County.

RWE plans to start onsite construction at Crooked Creek later this year, with commercial operation expected in 2028. Once running, the plant will supply electricity into the Southwest Power Pool market, where Google operates.

The agreement

RWE and Google signed the power purchase agreement for the plant's full output. Ingmar Ritzenhofen, RWE Americas' chief commercial officer, said the deal "reflects the growing demand for affordable, reliable, domestically produced energy." Will Conkling, Google's director of energy and power, said the agreement "adds critical new generation to the local system."

Money for McCurtain County

RWE estimates the construction phase will generate $24.3 million in local economic activity and $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue for McCurtain County, while employing up to 250 workers at peak. Once Crooked Creek is operating, RWE expects the project to produce about $25 million over its life for county programs, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers. RWE has already put more than $100,000 into donations, sponsorships and other community partnerships in McCurtain County.

RWE's Oklahoma build-out

Crooked Creek is RWE's first Oklahoma solar plant. The company already owns and runs the 148 MW Boiling Springs wind project in Woodward County, and has six more Oklahoma power projects totaling 1.6 GW in development.

A bigger US push

RWE operates roughly 13 GW of solar, onshore wind and battery storage capacity across 27 states in the US. The company plans to invest a net €17 billion in the country by 2031, close to half of its €35 billion global investment plan, and add 9 GW of new generation to bring its US total to 22 GW. Part of that build-out will go toward flexible gas-fired peaking plants, which RWE says can help keep power supply reliable and support grid stability.