AVANGRID Energizes Oregon’s Largest Solar PV Facility

AVANGRID has officially begun functioning at its Pachwáywit Fields solar farm, otherwise known as the Montague Solar Project, which has a capacity of 162 MW alternating current and 205 MW direct current in Gilliam County, Oregon. Work on Pachwáywit Fields began in 2021, encompassing an area of 1,223 acres and comprised of 471,156 solar panels. This has become the state’s largest photovoltaic plant and is supplying energy to 17 large customers and municipalities part of Portland General Electric’s Green Future Impact program, helping them accomplish their goals for sustainability and carbon dioxide reduction. The facility generated approximately 300 occupation positions in the course of its design, which contributed an estimated $1.37 million to the local area via taxation and rent remittances. The term “patch-why-wit” is spoken in the Sahaptin language and translates to “sun” in English. This project is based on inheritance belonging to the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and is given the name to demonstrate honor to the Warm Springs and Umatilla Tribes’ contributions and guardianship.