RWE commissions first solar project in Kentucky

• Ashwood Solar's 86-megawatt (MW) project in Lyon County, Kentucky will provide electricity to more than 15,000 households
  
  
• Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) committed to a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for all energy produced
  
  
• RWE's addition to its 11 gigawatts (GW) of U.S. energy assets ensures local energy security and economic growth

AUSTIN, Texas, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RWE, the third largest renewable energy company in the United States, has commissioned its first energy project in Kentucky, Ashwood Solar, located in Lyon County. Originally developed by a joint venture between Open Road Renewables and Eolian, L.P. (Eolian), the 86 MW facility will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 15,000 Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) member customers, strengthening energy independence and fostering economic growth.

Andrew Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer, RWE Clean Energy: "RWE is proud to add to the growing energy mix in the commonwealth with our first operational solar project in the state. By partnering with KYMEA, Ashwood Solar is helping the Bluegrass State ensure energy security while also providing local jobs and boosting the Kentucky economy."

Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony onsite marks this significant achievement, joined by leaders from RWE, KYMEA's executive team, KYMEA Board of Directors, key government stakeholders and local community organizations.

With more than 11 GW of energy assets across the United States, RWE continues its robust growth with the addition of Ashwood Solar to its regionally diverse generating portfolio. As demand for energy grows nationwide, RWE's strategically positioned assets ensure availability of homegrown energy solutions to meet these evolving needs. The 20-year power purchase agreement with KYMEA underscores both companies' commitment to regional energy supply.

Doug Buresh, President & Chief Executive Officer, KYMEA: "The commissioning of Ashwood Solar marks a proud milestone for KYMEA and our member communities. This project reflects our long-term commitment to delivering clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy to the people of Kentucky. Our 20-year partnership with RWE ensures that our members benefit from homegrown solar power while supporting local economic development and environmental stewardship. We are excited to see this vision come to life in Lyon County and look forward to the positive impact it will have for decades to come."

Generating Impact

In addition to offering reliable energy supply, RWE remains dedicated to generating impactful investments across the United States, including the creation of 250 local jobs during the construction of Ashwood Solar. Further, Ashwood Solar will feature local pollinator plants onsite which promote bee pollination, enhancing biodiversity in the region. Additionally, the project will generate $6 million in state property tax revenue over its operating lifetime.

For more information, visit americas.rwe.com.

For further inquiries:

Patricia Kakridas
Sr. Manager, Media & Public Relations
Corporate Communications
RWE Clean Energy
M + 619-753-5206
E [email protected]

RWE in the US
Through its subsidiary RWE Clean Energy, RWE is the third largest renewable energy company in the United States, with a presence in most U.S. states from coast to coast. RWE's team of about 2,000 employees in the U.S. stands ready to help meet the nation's growing energy needs. With its homegrown and fastest-to-market product, RWE supports the goal of American Energy dominance and independence. To that end, RWE Clean Energy is committed to increasing its already strong asset base of over 10 gigawatts of operating wind, solar and battery projects, focusing on providing high-quality jobs. RWE invests in local and rural communities while strengthening domestic manufacturing supporting the renaissance of American industry. This is complemented by RWE's energy trading business. RWE is also a major offtaker of American liquified natural gas (LNG).

As an energy company with a successful history spanning more than 125 years, RWE has an extensive knowledge of the energy markets and an excellent expertise in all major power generation and storage technologies, from nuclear, coal and gas to hydro, batteries, wind and solar.

About Eolian
Eolian operates a growing portfolio of battery energy storage projects and develops and invests in clean energy and co-located datacenter projects across the US. For over 20 years, Eolian's founding management has worked together to build the assets at the core of the company, creating unique and proprietary structures that have directly funded the development of nearly 30 GW of operating or under-construction energy storage, solar, and wind generating capacity across the country. Eolian is owned by its employees and funds that are managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a BlackRock company and leading global infrastructure investor. For more information, follow Eolian on LinkedIn or visit www.eolianenergy.com.

About Open Road Renewables
Open Road Renewables boasts one of the most experienced teams of developers in the country, directly responsible for the development of more than 2 GW of renewable energy projects currently under construction or operating and an additional 5 GW under development from Ohio to Texas. Members of our team have been involved in some of the most challenging and exciting renewable energy projects in the United States, including the largest solar project of its kind in the state of Maryland, the first utility-scale solar project to go through permitting in Ohio, dozens of solar projects from California to Maryland, and enough wind and solar generation capacity to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

SOURCE RWE