Avangrid, Inc. Signs 140 MW Solar Power Agreement with Microsoft for Bluebird Project in Washington, Expanding U.S. Clean Energy Partnership Beyond 500 MW
Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of Iberdrola Group, has announced a new long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Microsoft for the development of the 140 Megawatt-dc (100 MWac) Bluebird Solar project located in Klickitat County, Washington. This agreement marks another significant milestone in the expanding clean energy collaboration between the two companies and reinforces their shared commitment to accelerating renewable energy deployment across the United States.
With the addition of the Bluebird Solar project, Avangrid and Microsoft now have more than 500 MW of combined energy capacity under contract in the U.S., highlighting the rapid scale-up of corporate renewable energy procurement driven by growing electricity demand from digital infrastructure, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations.
Strengthening a Long-Term Strategic Energy Partnership
The Bluebird Solar project represents the fourth U.S. energy development under contract between Avangrid and Microsoft, further deepening a partnership that has evolved over several years and across multiple states and technologies.
Previously, the two companies entered into PPAs for the Powell Creek Solar project in Ohio and the Camino Solar project in California, both of which reached commercial operation in 2025. In addition, the Juniper Canyon Wind project in Washington is expected to begin commercial operation later this year, adding further renewable generation capacity to the regional grid.
Together, these projects demonstrate a diversified renewable portfolio spanning solar and wind assets, designed to support grid reliability while enabling Microsoft to advance its long-term carbon reduction and sustainability goals. The Bluebird Solar project continues this trajectory by adding additional solar generation capacity in the Pacific Northwest, a region increasingly important for clean energy integration and data-driven economic growth.
Project Overview: Bluebird Solar in Klickitat County
The Bluebird Solar project is planned as a 140 MW-dc (100 MW-ac) utility-scale solar installation in Klickitat County, Washington. The project will contribute to regional renewable energy supply and is strategically located near other Avangrid-operated assets, reinforcing the company’s established footprint in the area.
Avangrid has emphasized that the project is not only a renewable energy development but also a long-term investment in the local economy. Over its operational life, Bluebird Solar is expected to contribute approximately $11 million in local property tax revenues. These funds will support essential public services such as schools, infrastructure development, emergency services, and community programs, delivering long-lasting economic benefits beyond the energy sector.
The project’s name, “Bluebird,” reflects the local natural environment. The region is home to thousands of bluebirds, and the nearby town of Bickleton is famously known as the “Bluebird Capital of the World.” This naming choice underscores the project’s connection to local identity and environmental stewardship.
Economic Impact and Workforce Development
Construction of the Bluebird Solar project is expected to generate approximately 300 jobs during the development phase. A significant portion of these positions will be filled by local union labor, supporting skilled employment opportunities across construction, engineering, and electrical trades.
Beyond construction, the project will also create long-term operational and maintenance roles within the community. These permanent positions will support ongoing plant performance, monitoring, and maintenance activities once the facility reaches commercial operation.
Avangrid has positioned workforce development as a key component of its renewable energy strategy, ensuring that local communities benefit directly from large-scale infrastructure investments. The Bluebird project aligns with this approach by delivering both short-term construction employment and sustained long-term job opportunities.
Expected Timeline and Commercial Operation
The Bluebird Solar project is currently expected to achieve commercial operation in 2028. Over the coming years, the project will progress through development, permitting, procurement, and construction phases before being fully integrated into the regional electricity grid.
Once operational, the facility will contribute clean, utility-scale solar generation capacity that supports grid decarbonization efforts in Washington State and beyond. It will also help meet the growing electricity demand driven by electrification trends, population growth, and expansion of digital infrastructure.
Corporate Statements and Strategic Vision
Commenting on the announcement, Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda highlighted the importance of the project in strengthening both regional development and corporate partnerships.
He noted that Bluebird Solar reinforces Avangrid’s long-term commitment to energy development and operations in Washington while delivering meaningful economic benefits to Klickitat County. He also emphasized the value of the company’s relationship with Microsoft in helping meet the energy demands of leading global technology firms while simultaneously investing in local communities.
According to Avangrid, the Bluebird project reflects the company’s strong track record of developing renewable energy assets that support rising electricity demand, particularly from large-scale technology companies expanding their cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Expanding Renewable Energy Footprint in Washington
The Bluebird Solar project is located near four other Avangrid-owned and operated energy facilities in Klickitat County. This cluster of assets demonstrates the company’s long-term strategic investment in the region and its focus on building integrated renewable energy hubs.
The project also represents an estimated $300 million investment into the local economy. This includes construction expenditures, equipment procurement, labor costs, and long-term operational investments that contribute to regional economic activity.
By expanding its presence in Klickitat County, Avangrid continues to reinforce Washington State as a key region in its U.S. renewable energy portfolio. The state’s favorable renewable energy policies, strong transmission infrastructure, and growing demand for clean electricity make it a strategic location for large-scale solar and wind development.
Avangrid’s Broader U.S. Energy Portfolio
Across its national operations, Avangrid manages more than 11 gigawatts (GW) of installed energy capacity spanning approximately 25 states. Its portfolio includes nearly 100 energy projects, covering wind, solar, and other renewable technologies.
This diversified asset base positions the company as one of the leading renewable energy operators in the United States, with a strong focus on utility-scale development and long-term power purchase agreements with major corporate and utility buyers.
The Bluebird Solar project adds further depth to this portfolio and underscores Avangrid’s continued expansion in the solar segment, particularly in markets with strong corporate procurement demand.
Corporate Renewable Energy Demand Continues to Grow
The agreement between Avangrid and Microsoft also reflects a broader trend in the energy market: increasing demand from technology companies for large-scale renewable energy procurement. As data centers expand and artificial intelligence workloads grow, electricity consumption from the technology sector continues to rise rapidly.
Long-term PPAs such as Bluebird provide a stable mechanism for financing new renewable energy projects while enabling corporations like Microsoft to secure clean electricity supply aligned with their sustainability commitments.
This partnership model has become a central driver of renewable energy expansion in the United States, enabling developers and technology companies to jointly accelerate decarbonization goals while supporting grid reliability and regional economic development.
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