Avangrid Achieves Commercial Operation at Two Solar Projects in Oregon
Avangrid, Inc., a leading U.S. energy company and a member of the Iberdrola Group, has reached a major milestone in its renewable energy expansion with the successful commercial operation of two new utility-scale solar projects in Wasco County, Oregon. The projects—Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar—are now fully operational and delivering clean, reliable electricity to the Portland General Electric (PGE) power grid, strengthening the region’s energy supply while supporting economic development and long-term sustainability goals.
Together, Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar represent a significant addition to Oregon’s renewable energy capacity. Daybreak Solar has an installed capacity of 189 megawatts (MWdc), equivalent to 140 MWac, while Bakeoven Solar contributes an additional 80 MWdc, or 60 MWac. As new, domestically built energy infrastructure, the projects are designed to help meet rising electricity demand across the Pacific Northwest and enhance grid reliability at a time when power consumption is increasing due to electrification, economic growth, and expanding industrial activity.
“These projects mark an important step forward for Avangrid and for Oregon’s clean energy future,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, Chief Executive Officer of Avangrid. “Completing Daybreak and Bakeoven is the latest milestone in a broader investment in Wasco County that brings new jobs, modern infrastructure, and a stronger, more resilient power grid. Working closely with partners like Portland General Electric and Intel, we are delivering reliable, locally produced clean energy that will serve Oregon’s communities and industries for decades to come.”
Strengthening the Grid with Utility-Scale Solar
Located adjacent to one another in Wasco County, Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar together feature approximately 650,000 installed solar panels. Once fully ramped up, the two facilities are expected to generate hundreds of gigawatt-hours of electricity each year, contributing meaningfully to the region’s power supply while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
By adding large-scale solar capacity to PGE’s grid, the projects improve overall system resilience and provide additional flexibility as Oregon continues its transition toward a lower-carbon energy mix. The clean electricity produced will help meet the needs of commercial, industrial, and municipal customers, many of whom are pursuing ambitious sustainability and emissions-reduction targets.
Economic Impact and Local Job Creation
Beyond their environmental benefits, the Daybreak and Bakeoven projects have delivered substantial economic value to Wasco County and the surrounding region. Construction of the two facilities supported more than 300 jobs, with the majority filled by local union labor. This provided a meaningful boost to employment during the development phase and reinforced Avangrid’s commitment to investing in local workforces.
Over their expected operating lifetimes, the projects are estimated to generate approximately $40 million in tax revenue. These funds will support essential public services and local institutions, contributing to the long-term financial health of the county. In addition, the projects have created several permanent, full-time positions for ongoing operations and maintenance, further strengthening the local employment base.
Notably, Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar are the first commercial-scale solar facilities ever built in Wasco County, marking a new chapter in the region’s long history of energy production.
“Our region has long been an energy producer, and today we are expanding how we harness our natural resources,” said Phil Brady, Wasco County Commissioner. “By using the abundant Eastern Oregon sunshine and the winds of the Columbia Gorge, these projects help meet growing electricity demand while supporting our local economy. The tax revenues generated will benefit important community services, including the Wasco County Library and the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic.”
Supporting Clean Energy Through PGE’s Green Future Impact Program
Electricity from Daybreak and Bakeoven is being delivered to PGE’s grid through the utility’s Green Future Impact (GFI) program. GFI is a voluntary initiative that enables large municipal, commercial, and industrial customers to meet their clean energy and carbon-reduction goals by supporting the development of new renewable energy projects in the region.
Under the program, participating customers can choose non-emitting energy resources without increasing costs for other PGE customers. While all customers benefit from the additional clean energy on the grid, GFI participants cover the incremental costs associated with the renewable power they select.
Avangrid has emerged as the leading supplier of electricity to PGE’s GFI program. In addition to Daybreak and Bakeoven Solar, Avangrid-developed projects supporting the program include Pachwáywit Fields Solar and Tower Solar, the latter of which is currently under construction in Morrow County, Oregon.
Enabling Corporate Sustainability Goals
One of the major beneficiaries of the new solar capacity is Intel, a long-standing partner in Oregon’s clean energy transition. The projects help Intel advance its corporate sustainability objectives, including its goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity across its global operations by 2030.
“By strengthening the energy infrastructure that our operations depend on, Daybreak and Bakeoven help meet growing electricity demand while supporting Intel’s renewable energy commitments,” said Madison West, Global Head of Sustainability at Intel. “These projects deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for Wasco County and the broader region. They also demonstrate the power of regional collaboration in bringing new, utility-scale renewable capacity online—supporting local jobs, improving grid resilience, and ensuring Oregon is well positioned for future growth.”
Innovative Land Use and Environmental Stewardship
In addition to generating clean energy, Avangrid is using innovative land management practices to support environmental stewardship at the Daybreak and Bakeoven sites. The company has partnered with a fifth-generation Oregon sheep rancher to graze approximately 3,000 sheep across both facilities, a practice known as solar grazing.
Solar grazing allows sheep to naturally manage vegetation around and beneath solar panels, reducing the need for mechanical mowing or chemical herbicides. This approach helps limit vegetation growth, lowers maintenance emissions, and significantly reduces wildfire risk—an important consideration during the Pacific Northwest’s increasingly hot and dry summers. The initiative builds on Avangrid’s existing solar grazing operations at other projects in the region.
A Growing Presence in Oregon and Beyond
Avangrid has established a strong footprint in Oregon, where it operates approximately 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity across wind, solar, and other energy assets. The company maintains a major corporate office in Portland and supports roughly 375 jobs statewide.
In 2024, Avangrid further demonstrated its long-term commitment to the region by opening its National Training Center in nearby Sherman County. The facility focuses on workforce development and training for the next generation of energy professionals, reinforcing Avangrid’s role as both an energy provider and an employer of choice.
Nationwide, Avangrid operates more than 80 energy projects with a total installed generating capacity exceeding 10.5 GW. The successful completion of Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar underscores the company’s strategy of investing in domestic, utility-scale renewable energy projects that deliver reliable power, economic benefits, and measurable progress toward a cleaner energy future.
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