McDonald’s, eBay support 345-MW solar project in Louisiana with PPAs

US e-commerce giant eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) and fast-food chain McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:MCD) have signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) that will enable the construction of a 345-MW direct current (DC) solar power plant in Louisiana, the state’s largest.

The contracts were entered into with Lightsource BP, which will build the Ventress Solar farm about 30 miles northwest of Baton Rouge in Pointe Coupee Parish.

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The developer expects to begin construction of the plant as early as the end of 2021 and to have it up and running in mid-2023. Upon completion, the solar park will produce more than 600,000 MWh of electricity per year, which equals the average annual consumption of 59,000 US homes.

The project will cost more than USD 300 million (EUR 253.4m) to realise and it is seen to create some 400 construction jobs for 15-18 months and to provide an estimated USD-30-million boost to Pointe Coupee Parish over its lifecycle.

According to a study by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, the project will deliver an indirect economic impact of more than USD 200 million.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.845)