Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy has entered into an agreement with Meta to buy power from its Great Pathfinder Wind project in Boone and Hamilton counties to provide energy to Meta’s operations in the region, including its data center in Altoona. According to a news release, it is Meta’s second clean-power purchase agreement in Iowa.
“Our partnership with Meta positions Great Pathfinder Wind as a best-in-class clean energy project benefiting communities in central Iowa and across the Hawkeye State,” said Mark Goodwin, Apex Clean Energy president and CEO in a news release. “Leveraging Iowa’s tremendous wind resources will accelerate the deployment of clean energy, create local jobs, and generate significant local and state economic investment — a trifecta of benefits only possible through trusted collaboration.”
The Great Pathfinder Wind project is expected to begin operations later this year. It is estimated to generate $32 million in local tax revenue, pay $74 million to local landowners, and create 270 full-time jobs during construction and nine long-term operations positions, the release stated.
“We are proud to partner with Apex to continue bringing new renewable energy resources, investment, and jobs to Iowa through this new wind project,” said Urvi Parekh, director of renewable energy at Meta, formerly known as Facebook. “Iowa’s ability to host high-quality wind projects, while providing a welcoming business environment, has made it a great home for our data center.”