Construction Begins on Kingstree West Solar Park in South Carolina

News Summary

South Carolina’s Williamsburg County will soon see the launch of the Kingstree West photovoltaic solar park, led by Ingka Investments. This major renewable energy project will utilize 178,000 solar modules and produce an estimated 186 GWh of energy annually, enough to power around 15,200 households. Additionally, it promises economic benefits like job creation and tax revenues for the local community. Ingka Investments is also advancing a second solar initiative nearby, further demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy and sustainability.

South Carolina is set to welcome a major advancement in renewable energy with the commencement of construction on the Kingstree West photovoltaic solar park in Williamsburg County. This initiative is led by Ingka Investments, the investment division of Ingka Group, which is recognized as the largest retailer of IKEA products. The solar park will feature 178,000 solar modules and is estimated to produce 186 GWh of energy annually. This output is sufficient to power approximately 15,200 households in South Carolina each year.

The head of renewable energy at Ingka Investments has stated that the focus of these investments is on enhancing renewable energy production and securing sustainable access to clean energy over the long term. By supplying the grid with reliable and affordable clean energy, Ingka Investments aims to significantly reduce the environmental footprint associated with its operations.

The construction of the solar park is expected to offer temporary economic benefits to the local community. It will provide job opportunities and apprenticeships in both construction and maintenance sectors. Ingka Investments will assume the entire cost of the solar park’s establishment, ensuring that there is no financial strain on the local community or on ratepayers.

Furthermore, Williamsburg County is anticipated to gain around $7.6 million in property tax revenues over the lifetime of the solar project. This additional income is projected to aid in the local economic enhancement and infrastructure development.

The construction is being executed in partnership with Rosendin Electric and Forum Energy Partners, showcasing a collaboration aimed at facilitating the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure.

In addition to the Kingstree West project, Ingka Group is progressing on another solar initiative in Williamsburg County, known as Kingstree East. This project, located 27 miles from Kingstree West, has reached a significant milestone with the South Carolina Public Utilities Commission granting it a certificate of public convenience and necessity. All necessary discretionary permits for development have also been secured, indicating a strong commitment to expanding renewable energy resources in the region.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Ingka Investments, which has earmarked EUR 7.5 billion towards achieving 100% renewable energy consumption across its operations and beyond. Of this, EUR 4.2 billion is specifically allocated for various projects focused on renewable energy, including investments in both wind and solar power.

Ingka Investments is keenly focused on innovation and transitional technologies as it develops its energy strategy. This includes exploring advancements in energy storage and hydrogen technologies as viable energy carriers, underlining its commitment to modernizing energy solutions and enhancing sustainability.

With these projects advancing in Williamsburg County, Ingka Investments is not only contributing to the local economy with job creation and increased tax revenues but is also positioning itself at the forefront of the renewable energy transition. The Kingstree West solar park represents a significant step towards achieving greater reliance on cleaner energy sources, aligning with global sustainability goals and the growing demand for renewable energy.

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