FULTON COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — British oil and gas company BP announced on Tuesday that crews had begun the first day of construction on the Arche Solar project in Fulton County, a utility-scale energy facility that is expected to create several hundred new jobs and offset carbon emissions.
Representatives said the project is expected to create approximately 200 new jobs across the U.S. supply chain during construction, offset over 155,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and provide over $30 million dollars in revenue to local schools over its life.
BP secured a power-purchase agreement with Meta for the project. Together, the two companies said they plan to address greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy in the U.S.
Company representatives said the collaboration demonstrates how companies can support job growth and environmental concerns simultaneously.
"This agreement shows how companies can create jobs, invest in the US economy, and at the same time support net zero ambitions and help the world reduce carbon emissions," BP America chairman and president Dave Lawler said.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who represents Ohio's ninth congressional district, lauded the decision to choose Fulton County as a location for green energy production.
"With this major announcement —our region proves once again, Ohio scientists, inventors, and business leaders lead America and the world by capturing the future," Kaptur said in a statement. "Literally, First Solar is inventing and manufacturing the future of energy and American energy independence—a security imperative."
Kaptur also said the Arche solar project is just the beginning of a trend towards renewable energy that Ohio government officials and businesses should continue to follow.
“Though the State of Ohio officially has continued to lag in its support for renewable energy, our Great Lakes region has distinguished itself by propelling energy innovation forward," she said. "America must win energy security across all energy sectors. The advancement of new technologies such as advanced solar will power our way of life into the future."
Lightsource BP, BP's 50:50 joint-venture partner, developed the project and is managing construction. McCarthy Building, a construction company, was selected as the main contractor for the project. BP will use First Solar solar panels in the facility.
The Arche solar project is a part of the company's plans to develop 20GW of net renewable generating capacity by 2025 and 50GW by 2030. Once completed, BP expects the Fulton County solar field to generate enough clean energy to power 20,000 homes annually.
The Arche solar project is one of several upcoming renewable and clean energy projects coming to the state of Ohio. In October 2022, the Ohio Power Siting Board approved the construction of two other solar power facilities in Franklin and Licking County, in addition to a battery storage facility, also in Licking County. In September 2022, General Motors announced they would invest $760 million into Toledo Propulsions Systems facility on Alexis Road to produce drive units for electric vehicles.