RWE has officially commenced construction at the Union Ridge Solar project in Licking County, Ohio, a 98-MWAC solar facility acquired from Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) in the fall of 2024.

In partnership with MasTec Renewables, RWE is tapping into Ohio’s robust craft union workforce for the construction phase. Together, the companies are collaborating with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local halls in Licking County and statewide, aiming to employ skilled laborers, operators, and electricians for the utility-scale solar project.

Kevin Kroll, chief operating officer of RWE Clean Energy, said, “Our Union Ridge project is an example of how we partner with leading American companies to bring job growth and critical economic activity to communities across America with our homegrown energy. Through our partnership with MasTec, we are helping to create new employment opportunities for Licking County residents and support Ohio’s current and future skilled labor workforce.”

RWE is continuing the partnership established by LRE with the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County (C-TEC) Postsecondary Education Center. This collaboration aims to build Ohio’s future energy workforce by supporting an educational and career training program for solar energy. The Solar Energy Training Course prepares students in the assembly, mounting, and maintenance of solar arrays, skills essential for working on utility-scale solar projects in the state.

The Union Ridge Solar project is poised to make a significant impact on Ohio’s renewable energy landscape, further solidifying the state’s role in the growing solar industry. The collaboration between RWE, MasTec, and local unions highlights the commitment to supporting not just renewable energy, but also local economies through job creation and training initiatives.

This project is part of RWE's broader effort to contribute to the U.S. transition to clean energy, while providing valuable career opportunities to communities. As the project progresses, it will bring long-term benefits not only through the creation of clean energy but by fostering a skilled workforce ready for the future of the energy sector.

In addition to its direct impacts on the local workforce, the Union Ridge Solar project will also help meet the increasing demand for renewable energy in Ohio, contributing to both state and national clean energy goals. RWE’s involvement in workforce development further underscores the company’s commitment to not only building sustainable energy infrastructure but also ensuring a sustainable, skilled workforce for the clean energy economy.

Originally reported by Kelsey Misbrener in Solar Power World.