Clearway Breaks Ground on $1.5 Billion, 650 MW Swan Solar Project in Bates County, Missouri

Clearway Energy Group has reached financial close on the Swan Energy Center and started construction on the 650 MW solar facility in northwestern Bates County, Missouri. The $1.5 billion development is the company's first project in the state and sits on portions of land previously used for strip mining.

A First for Clearway in Missouri

Power from the site is contracted under a 20-year power purchase agreement, and the energy center is one component of a 1.2 GW portfolio of projects that Clearway announced earlier this year. To fund the build-out, Clearway put together a bank consortium led by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, DNB Bank ASA, and National Australia Bank Limited. Clearway Energy, Inc. has also agreed to invest in the project once it reaches commercial operations, which is expected in 2028.

Banking Support Backs the Build

The financing package drew participation from a group of lenders headed by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, DNB Bank ASA, and National Australia Bank Limited. The agreement from Clearway Energy, Inc. to invest upon commercial operation ties the project to the publicly traded clean energy owner, whose common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CWEN and which is sponsored by controlling investor Clearway Energy Group LLC.

Output Aimed at Growing Regional Demand

Once online, the Swan Energy Center is intended to supply near-term, carbon-free electricity to help meet load growth in the region. The facility is expected to produce enough power annually to serve approximately 200,000 homes. John Woody, Chief Development Officer at Clearway, said the project represents a significant investment in Bates County, delivering reliable clean energy and economic benefits to the region, and thanked local partners for their trust in welcoming the company to the community.

Blattner Leads a Construction Push Worth Up to 500 Jobs

Clearway has brought in Blattner Energy as its construction partner, with work expected to support up to 500 construction jobs at peak activity. When the facility comes online, several long-term technician positions will be available locally.

USD 80 Million Pledged to Bates County Over 30 Years

A 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement between Clearway and Bates County is set to generate more than USD 80 million in new revenue over its life, funding that will benefit the local school district and other county services. Beyond the PILOT payments, Clearway has made several community commitments: USD 1 million this year to help Bates County purchase emergency equipment; USD 288,000 annually for the first ten years of operations to support 24 townships and road districts within the county and their road and bridge departments; and USD 200,000 to the towns of Amoret and Amsterdam for improvements to their public safety equipment.

Domestic Panels and Pollinator-Friendly Ground Cover

The project will use American-made solar panels and other domestically sourced equipment. Clearway plans to maintain native grasses and floral resources across the site, supporting habitat for pollinator species such as the monarch butterfly while also helping improve soil drainage and health.

Where Swan Fits in Clearway's National Fleet

Clearway Energy Group, headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego, holds a portfolio of more than 14 GW of gross generating capacity across 27 states.

That includes over 2.8 GW of flexible dispatchable power generation and 11.4 GW of battery energy storage, solar, and wind assets providing grid reliability services. Its operating fleet currently generates enough electricity to power more than 2 million homes.

Clearway Energy, Inc., one of the largest owners of clean energy generation assets in the United States, holds approximately 13.9 GW of gross capacity in 27 states, comprising roughly 11.1 GW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems alongside approximately 2.8 GW of flexible dispatchable power generation.