Oregon's Clean Energy Future: New Solar Farms Power Grid and Economy

PORTLAND, OR – February 03, 2026 – Avangrid, a leading U.S. energy company, has officially commenced commercial operations at two major solar facilities in Wasco County, Oregon, marking a significant milestone for the state's renewable energy landscape. The Daybreak and Bakeoven solar projects, the first of their commercial scale in the county, are now delivering a combined 200 megawatts of alternating current (MWac) to the Portland General Electric (PGE) grid, enough to power an estimated 40,000 homes annually.

The completion of these adjacent projects, which utilize a combined 650,000 solar panels, represents a pivotal investment in Oregon's energy infrastructure. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Avangrid, PGE, and key corporate partners like Intel, designed to meet the growing demand for clean electricity while bolstering the regional economy.

“Completing these two projects marks the latest milestone in a pivotal investment in Wasco County, bringing new jobs, modern infrastructure, and a more resilient power grid for Oregon,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “Together with PGE and Intel, we’re delivering a new source of reliable power that will energize Oregon’s communities and industries for decades to come.”

A Boost for Wasco County's Economy and Landscape

The economic and community benefits for Wasco County are substantial. The construction phase alone created over 300 jobs, filled primarily by local union labor. Looking forward, the projects will support several permanent, full-time positions for ongoing operations and maintenance, adding stable employment to the local base.

Financially, the solar farms are projected to be a significant boon for the county. Avangrid estimates the two facilities will generate approximately $40 million in tax revenue over their lifespan. This new revenue stream is crucial for funding essential public services.

“Our region has a history of energy production, and now we are finding other ways to harness our abundant regional resources like the Eastern Oregon sunshine and Columbia Gorge Winds to meet growing demand,” said Phil Brady, Wasco County Commissioner. He noted that the projects will “contribute to our local economy and supporting our local tax districts such as the Wasco County Library and the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic.”

Beyond the financial impact, the projects incorporate an innovative and sustainable approach to land management known as solar grazing. Avangrid has partnered with a fifth-generation Oregon sheep rancher to have a flock of approximately 3,000 sheep graze among the solar panels. This practice serves as a natural and effective method of vegetation control, reducing the need for mechanical mowers and significantly mitigating wildfire risks during the Pacific Northwest's hot, dry summers. The initiative is an expansion of Avangrid's larger solar grazing program, which has deployed over 5,000 sheep across its facilities in Oregon and Washington, demonstrating a successful model for integrating agriculture with renewable energy production.

Corporate Sustainability Goals Fuel Renewable Growth

The driving force behind these large-scale projects is the increasing demand for clean energy from the corporate sector. The electricity from Daybreak and Bakeoven is funneled through Portland General Electric’s Green Future Impact (GFI) program, a voluntary initiative that allows large industrial and municipal customers to directly fund the development of new renewable energy resources.

This innovative program structure ensures that participants like Intel can secure non-emitting energy to meet their sustainability targets without passing the additional costs on to other PGE ratepayers. Intel, a major participant in the GFI program, is leveraging the new solar capacity to advance its ambitious corporate climate goals.

“By strengthening the energy infrastructure our operations depend on, these projects help meet growing electricity demand, advance Intel’s goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity across our global operations by 2030, and deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for Wasco County and the broader region,” stated Madison West, Global Head of Sustainability at Intel. The company, which has been a major purchaser of PGE's green energy products for two decades, reported reaching 99% renewable electricity globally in 2023 and is aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The Daybreak and Bakeoven projects demonstrate how corporate purchasing power can directly translate into new, tangible clean energy infrastructure.

Bolstering Oregon's Grid for a Resilient Future

The addition of 200 MWac of solar capacity from Daybreak and Bakeoven is a critical component of Oregon's broader strategy to modernize its electrical grid and transition toward a decarbonized future. These facilities enhance grid reliability and provide a stable source of power to support growing commercial and industrial demand across the state.

Avangrid has established itself as a cornerstone of Oregon's energy sector, with a history dating back to the development of utility-scale wind power in the Columbia River Gorge in 2001. The company now operates 2.5 gigawatts of generating capacity in the state and is actively developing a 1.3 GW pipeline of new renewable projects. Other key Avangrid initiatives in Oregon include the Pachwáywit Fields Solar project in Sherman County and the Tower Solar project currently under construction in Morrow County, slated for completion in 2026. Further, the upcoming Oregon Trail Solar project in Gilliam County is set to supply renewable energy to Amazon's regional data centers upon its completion in 2027.

This deep and ongoing investment is further underscored by the company’s large corporate office in Portland and the 2024 opening of its National Training Center in nearby Sherman County, cementing its long-term commitment to regional workforce development and the state's clean energy economy. The successful launch of the Daybreak and Bakeoven solar farms is more than just an addition of megawatts to the grid; it represents a comprehensive model for how public-private partnerships can foster economic growth, environmental stewardship, and a resilient energy future.