NEW UNDERWOOD, SD - National Grid Renewables, a developer and operator of large-scale renewable energy assets, today announced a significant commitment to donate over $500,000 to the New Underwood School District in South Dakota. The generous donation, sourced from its 128-megawatt (MW) Wild Springs Solar Project (Wild Springs) located in Pennington County, South Dakota, will establish the Wild Springs Education Fund. The local New Underwood Area Community Foundation, overseen by the South Dakota Community Foundation, will manage the fund.
New Underwood School District Superintendent Katie Albers expressed her gratitude, saying, "The New Underwood School District appreciates the pledge of $25,000 per year for 20 years provided by the Wild Springs Education Fund." She added that the funds would be utilized in various ways to benefit the students, school, and community.
In a bid to provide extra support to community activities and opportunities within the host communities, National Grid Renewables creates charitable funds for each of its major renewable energy projects. Funding commences once the project achieves commercial operation, with donations made over and above any tax revenue produced by the projects.
Joe Ibrahim, Vice President of Construction and Engineering at National Grid Renewables, elaborated on the company's role in the community. "We are incredibly proud of the local community benefits resulting from these charitable funds," he said. "When we construct a clean energy project, we are laying down roots in a community – and we take our role as a good neighbor seriously. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to give back and be a positive impact on both the residents and the local economy."
The Wild Springs project began construction in early 2023 and is projected to be the state's largest solar energy initiative to date. Upon completion, it's expected to prevent 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to removing approximately 42,000 cars from the road for a year. Moreover, it's predicted to generate nearly $12 million in new tax revenue over the first 20 years of operation.
National Grid Renewables, which develops and operates renewable energy assets such as solar, wind, and energy storage across the United States, is a community-focused business that emphasizes sustainable, clean energy futures. The company supports National Grid's vision of leading a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for everyone, rekindling local economies and revitalizing America's electricity grid.
