RWE and Google have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) covering the full output of the 155 MWac Crooked Creek Solar project in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, marking RWE's first solar project in the state, the companies announced.

Under the agreement, Google will purchase the entire electricity output from the project, which is expected to support the company's operations within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) market while supplying locally generated renewable electricity in Oklahoma.

RWE plans to begin onsite construction of the Crooked Creek Solar project later this year, with commercial operations expected to start in 2028.

According to the companies, the project is expected to employ up to 250 workers during peak construction and generate an estimated $24.3 million in local economic activity, as well as approximately $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue for McCurtain County during the construction phase.

Once operational, Crooked Creek Solar is projected to deliver around $25 million in long-term revenue for McCurtain County, supporting county programmes, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centres.

Ingmar Ritzenhofen, Chief Commercial Officer of RWE Americas, said the agreement reflects growing demand for "affordable, reliable, domestically produced energy" and highlighted the role of strategic partnerships in accelerating new energy development while creating jobs, generating tax revenue and supporting local communities.

Will Conkling, Director of Energy and Power at Google, said the agreement will add new generation capacity to the local grid, increasing the supply of affordable and reliable electricity for Oklahoma and the wider region as the company continues expanding its infrastructure.

RWE said the Crooked Creek Solar project forms part of its broader expansion strategy in Oklahoma. In addition to the 155 MW solar project, the company owns and operates the 148 MW Boiling Springs wind farm in Woodward County and has six additional power projects under development across the state, representing a combined capacity of 1.6 GW.

The company also noted that it has contributed more than $100,000 through donations, sponsorships and community partnerships in Oklahoma and plans to expand its support for local organisations in McCurtain County as development of the project progresses.