Matrix Renewables, rPlus Energies, Sundt
Construction, EliTe Solar and Idaho Power unveil the latest
iteration of rPlus Energies’ Local First Scholarship and launch new
Energy First Scholarship series
Today, Pleasant Valley Solar project partners, Matrix
Renewables, rPlus Energies, Sundt Construction, EliTe Solar, and
Idaho Power, announced that they have committed a total of $123,000
to both College of Western Idaho and Boise State University for two
scholarships: the Local First – Pleasant Valley Solar Scholarship,
in partnership with College of Western Idaho, and the Energy First
– Pleasant Valley Solar Scholarship, in partnership with Boise
State University. Each school will receive $61,500 for its
respective program.
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Pleasant Valley Solar project partners
(Matrix Renewables, rPlus Energies, Sundt Construction, EliTe Solar
and Idaho Power), Boise State University and College of Western
Idaho representatives host event to announce new scholarship
offerings. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Local First Scholarship series was launched in 2022 in
partnership with Utah State University Eastern and has since
expanded its offerings with Southern Utah University and now
College of Western Idaho. The Local First Scholarship series
exclusively supports students in counties where rPlus Energies
constructs its projects, aiming to keep talent local and develop
community workforce needs. Applicants may choose to pursue any
certificate, associate, or 4-year program.
The inaugural Energy First Scholarship series focuses on
students pursuing careers in the energy sector, providing partial
tuition scholarships for degrees in engineering, environmental, or
construction programs at local universities. The Energy First –
Pleasant Valley Solar Scholarship, in partnership with Boise State
University, is the pilot in the Energy First series.
Both scholarships will be open to applicants beginning December
2024. Students will need to be admitted to their respective
institutions to be eligible to apply for the award.
“Matrix Renewables was founded on the mission to advance the
adoption of a decarbonized energy market through sustainable
development practices that support the communities we operate in,”
said Cindy Tindell, Managing Director, Head of U.S. for Matrix
Renewables. “In keeping with our founding mission and in
celebration of Matrix's Pleasant Valley Project, we are thrilled to
support the education of students who wish to support their
communities and that will pursue a career in energy.”
“Our commitment remains deeply rooted in our community-centric
approach, fostering opportunities that not only enrich individuals
but also contribute to the prosperity of our host communities,”
said Luigi Resta, rPlus Energies President & CEO. “Our new
Energy First Scholarship series recognizes the pivotal role of
energy-related occupations in shaping tomorrow's landscape -- from
engineers to construction experts, the energy sector offers a
diverse array of career paths, and we're eager to support those
interested in our industry.”
“College of Western Idaho is honored to receive this support
from the Pleasant Valley Solar Project Partners,” said Mark
Arstein, Vice President of Advancement at CWI. “The Local First
Scholarship will directly empower our students, 98% of whom are
Idaho residents, to pursue their educational goals and contribute
to the thriving local economy. By investing in our students’
futures, these companies are not only strengthening our community
but also fueling the growth and innovation of the Treasure Valley
workforce.”
"I'm very pleased and grateful that the partners of Pleasant
Valley Solar have chosen to invest in Boise State students," said
Argia Beristain, senior associate vice president for development in
the Advancement division at Boise State University. "Here, our
goals are aligned as we strive to make positive impacts in Idaho
communities and address pressing challenges like the future of
energy. In endowing the Pleasant Valley Solar Scholarship, Pleasant
Valley Solar and its partners are building a sustainable source of
student support, empowering them to pursue their studies and
careers regardless of their financial situation."
The Local First and Energy First Scholarship series have funded
a combined $318,000 for students to date.
“Sundt is excited to support local Idaho students in partnership
with our project partners,” said Emily Dwosh, Sundt’s Community
Relations Manager and Sundt Foundation Executive Director. “The
scholarship program aligns with Sundt’s dedication to improving our
local communities and our commitment to workforce development."
“We are proud to be a part of the Local First Pleasant Valley
Scholarship, paving the way for aspiring innovators in renewable
energy. Together, we are shaping a future where talent and
sustainability intersect,” said Alex Chen, General Manager of EliTe
Solar.
Pleasant Valley Solar is a 200 MWac / 261 MWdc solar project
located in Idaho which will deliver energy to the Idaho Power
system and contribute to Meta's goal to support 100% of its
operations with renewable energy. Specifically, output from the
project will go into the same grid that supports Meta's new data
center in Kuna, ID. The project is currently under construction and
is expected to employ approximately 220 construction-related
jobs.
Developed by rPlus Energies, Pleasant Valley Solar is owned by
Matrix Renewables. Sundt, a national contractor with a strong
presence in the Mountain West, provides EPC services for the
project and has contributed to every Local First Scholarship
program thus far. EliTe Solar is providing the solar modules for
Pleasant Valley Solar with Idaho Power contracted as the utility
offtake partner for this project.
About Matrix Renewables
Matrix Renewables is a renewable energy platform founded in 2020
by global alternative asset manager TPG through its impact
investing platform, TPG Rise. With corporate offices in Madrid,
Spain and offices in Miami, Florida, Santiago de Chile, Chile and
Rome, Italy, Matrix Renewables focuses on developing, constructing,
and operating renewable energy assets across the US, Europe, and
Latin America. The Matrix Renewables portfolio comprises
approximately 14 GW of operational, under construction, or under
development solar, storage, and green hydrogen projects.
About rPlus Energies
rPlus Energies is a team of committed energy industry
professionals working together to develop large-scale renewable
energy generation and electric storage projects in the United
States. The company specializes in bringing projects to market
through partnership with the private sector, municipalities,
utilities, and industry-leading technology and service providers.
Its portfolio consists of a strategic mix of solar, battery, wind,
and pumped storage hydro facilities. rPlus Energies is
headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and is backed by Sandbrook
Capital and Gardner Group.
About Sundt
Sundt Construction (www.sundt.com) has been building critical
infrastructure across the United States for 134 years. The company
has a strong presence in the Mountain West where it is currently
working on multiple highway projects for the Idaho Transportation
Department, including the I-86 and I-15 Interchange in Pocatello,
Idaho. In Utah, the company is building the new $528 million New
Water Reclamation Facility for Salt Lake City’s Department of
Public Utilities. Sundt was recently recognized with the 2023
Energy Project of the Year award from AGC Utah for the Appaloosa
Solar I project, and is currently working on the 250 MW Pleasant
Valley Solar project in western Idaho. Sundt has offices throughout
Utah, Arizona, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and
Florida and is currently ranked the country’s 62nd largest
construction company by ENR, the industry’s principal trade
magazine.
About EliTe Solar
EliTe Solar, established in 2005, has a proven track record of
delivering over 10GW of solar modules globally. As a premier
provider of photovoltaic modules and intelligent energy solutions,
EliTe Solar offers optimized solar solutions catering to utility,
commercial, and industrial clients worldwide. Through customized
continuous innovation in solar technologies and finance solutions,
EliTe Solar delivers intelligent energy solutions that maximize
value and mitigate risk while optimizing the Levelized Cost of
Energy (LCOE). Headquartered in Singapore and with manufacturing
facilities in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, EliTe Solar is
committed to sustainability and excellence in providing reliable
and efficient solar solutions. Discover more about our offerings at
elite-solar.com .
About Idaho Power
Idaho Power, headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise,
Idaho, has been a locally operated energy company since 1916.
Today, it serves a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The
company’s goal to provide 100% clean energy by 2045 builds on its
long history as a clean-energy leader that provides reliable
service at affordable prices. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric
projects at the core of its diverse energy mix, Idaho Power’s
residential, business and agricultural customers pay among the
nation’s lowest prices for electricity. Its 2,100 employees proudly
serve more than 630,000 customers with a culture of safety first,
integrity always and respect for all.
IDACORP Inc. (NYSE: IDA), Idaho Power’s independent publicly
traded parent company, is also headquartered in Boise, Idaho. To
learn more, visit idahopower.com or idacorpinc.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240516328756/en/
For more information on rPlus Energies and the
Scholarships: Maile Resta Communications Associate
mresta@rplusenergies.com
For more information on Matrix Renewables: Ryan
MacWilliams Senior Manager rmacwilliams@matrixrenewables.com