The first phase of Ohio’s largest solar complex, being developed by EDF Renewables and Enbridge Inc., has started delivering electricity to the PJM grid, EDF said in a Jan. 10 news release.

Located in Madison County, the 749-megawatt (MW) Fox Squirrel Solar complex is being developed in three phases. In all, the project will include 1.4 million panels and 154 inverters.

The 150-MW first phase, which involved the installation of 10,000 panels per day at peak construction, became operational in December, according to the news release.

With a 250-MW capacity, the second phase is expected to start operations in mid-2024, while the 177-MW third phase is expected online by year-end 2024, EDF said.

Enbridge invested in the solar complex’s first phase, with a final investment decision pending on the remaining phases in 2024.

“The development of this project will support local communities and deliver clean power for our customer,” said Matthew Akman, executive vice president of corporate strategy and president of power for Enbridge. “The project underscores our energy transition leadership and highlights our rigorous capital allocation process which targets projects that are immediately accretive to DCF [discounted cash flow] per share and complementary to our growth outlook.”

EDF said the project has secured 20-year power purchase agreements for its full generating capacity. When fully operational, the complex is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 118,000 homes in Ohio, the company said.

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