Cypress Creek Energy's Ostrea Solar Reaches Commercial Operation, Helping Power Nation's Fastest-Growing State Economy

• 104 MWdc / 80 MWac solar project adds new, clean, American-made power to the region as Washington leads the U.S. in economic growth
• Microsoft has signed a power purchase agreement with Cypress Creek for electricity and environmental products generated by the project
• Long-term land stewardship initiatives conserve 275 acres of critical habitat, support wildlife migratory paths, and restore healthy native vegetation across the project site

YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cypress Creek Energy's Ostrea Solar project in Yakima County, Washington has reached commercial operation, adding a new source of locally generated electricity to the regional grid.

Community leaders, project partners, and other stakeholders joined Cypress Creek on September 2 to mark this milestone and celebrate the completion of approximately $180 million in privately funded energy infrastructure for Washington.

The project comes online at a time of significant economic and electricity demand growth in Washington. The state led the nation in economic growth during the first quarter of 2026, with real GDP growing at an annualized rate of 4.5%, more than twice the national rate. The information sector was the leading contributor to that growth, underscoring the increasingly important connection between Washington's technology-driven economy and the infrastructure needed to power it.

"Washington's economy is growing, and that growth requires more electricity," said Kevin Smith, CEO of Cypress Creek Energy. "Ostrea shows how we can responsibly bring new power online quickly and affordably, while creating lasting benefits for the communities where we operate, and caring for the land for generations to come."

Powering Washington's Growth

Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, is the long-term offtaker of energy and environmental products generated by Ostrea Solar. The project is interconnected to the Bonneville Power Administration transmission system, adding 104 MWdc / 80 MWac of new generation to the region's power system. Ostrea is expanding clean energy infrastructure needed to meet rising energy demand and support continued economic success in Washington.

Caring for the Land

For Cypress Creek, completing construction is also the beginning of a long-term responsibility to the land. The company will own and operate Ostrea for up to 40 years, making thoughtful land management and environmental stewardship an important part of the project throughout its operating life.

That commitment began during development. Cypress Creek worked closely with the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), including modifying the project design to conserve approximately 275 acres of critical shrubsteppe habitat.

Shrubsteppe is one of Washington's most diverse ecosystems, providing habitat for species found nowhere else in the state. It is also increasingly scarce, with an estimated 80% of Washington's historic shrubsteppe lost or degraded to development and agriculture. Cypress Creek also contributed funding to WDFW to support additional conservation work elsewhere in the region.

Ostrea was also designed with wildlife corridors to maintain migratory pathways through the project area, including for Rocky Mountain elk that move through the region.

Cypress Creek's stewardship efforts extend to the land beneath and around the solar panels. Portions of the project site include degraded former cropland that has not been actively farmed for more than 25 years and where invasive and non-native plant species had become established. During construction, invasive plants that can threaten native habitats were removed, and disturbed areas were revegetated.

The project was then seeded with carefully selected mixes of grasses and pollinator-friendly flowering plants. Beneath and around the solar arrays, lower-growing species were selected to establish healthy vegetation without interfering with the panels. Other restored areas include taller grasses and flowering species that provide additional habitat and forage for pollinators.

Contrary to the perception that solar panels cover an entire project site, more than 90% of the land within a typical solar project remains open and available for vegetation beneath and around the panels. At Ostrea, that creates an opportunity to generate electricity while continuing to actively manage and care for the underlying land.

When Ostrea eventually reaches the end of its operating life, Cypress Creek's goal is for the land to have been well cared for and rested, preserving its potential for agriculture or whatever use future generations determine is best.

Investing in Yakima County

Ostrea represents approximately $180 million in private capital investment and is expected to generate an estimated $13.3 million in state and local tax revenue over its operating life.

PCL Solar Constructors USA, Inc. served as the project's engineering, procurement, and construction contractor. Construction created approximately 300 jobs, all paid at prevailing wage rates, and included an apprenticeship program that provided opportunities for workers to gain valuable experience and develop skills for long-term careers in the construction trades. Approximately 75 apprentices contributed 39,000 hours to the project during construction.

Safety was a priority throughout construction, with the project achieving zero recordable injuries or incidents.

A Long-Term Community Partner

Cypress Creek believes communities hosting energy infrastructure should benefit through, reliable electricity, jobs, long-term tax revenue, and direct investments that respond to local priorities.

The company has already invested in the Yakima-area community, including a $50,000 contribution toward the new aquatic center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Yakima and a back-to-school drive at Moxee Elementary School in partnership with PCL. Through Cypress Creek's Energizing Tomorrow's Leaders program, 14 local Yakima County students have received scholarships since 2023, representing $18,500 in educational support. Ostrea has also helped support Cypress Creek's partnership with Oregon Institute of Technology, providing scholarships and educational opportunities for students pursuing careers connected to the energy industry.

For Cypress Creek, these investments represent the beginning of a relationship that will continue throughout Ostrea's operating life. Through Cypress Creek Solutions, its in-house operations and maintenance organization, Cypress Creek will remain directly responsible for the project's safe and reliable operation, vegetation and land management, and ongoing relationships with the surrounding community.

About Cypress Creek Energy

Cypress Creek Energy is a U.S. independent power producer and developer of energy infrastructure designed to meet the nation's rapidly growing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity. Built on more than a decade of experience developing, financing, owning, and operating energy assets, the company delivers integrated solar, storage, and firm capacity solutions that serve utilities, communities, and large-load customers.

Cypress Creek believes energy infrastructure should create lasting value beyond generating affordable, sustainable electricity. Through responsible development, long-term ownership, and meaningful community partnerships, the company is committed to strengthening the places where it lives, works, and builds. Since inception, Cypress Creek has commercialized 19 GW of projects and today has more than 6.8 GW of assets operating or under construction, along with a 19 GW development pipeline. Through Cypress Creek Solutions, its in-house operations and maintenance platform, their experienced team manages more than 8.6 GW of energy assets for both Cypress Creek and third-party owners across 24 states.

Media Contact: Alex Petersen, [email protected]

SOURCE Cypress Creek Energy