On 30 April Swift Current Energy announced that its landmark 800 MWdc (593 MWac) Double Black Diamond Solar project is now in operation. The new facility, located 30 miles west of Springfield, Illinois, is the largest operating solar facility east of the Mississippi and provides a major source of new energy capacity in the state.
The city of Chicago in Illinois is one of the largest cities in the USA to source 100 % of the power for its operations from renewable energy. About 70 % of the power used for its facilities – including O’Hare and Midway airports – is sourced from Swift’s Double Black Diamond Solar project.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson said, “This project is a powerful example of why we believe in the green economy. Double Black Diamond Solar … will make our city cleaner and more energy efficient. Projects like this are about our commitment to environmental justice, but they are also about good jobs and affordability for the working people of our city. We intend to build upon this critical milestone and continue to increase the adoption of clean energy in our city.”
Swift Current is the long-term owner and operator of the project Swift utilised the robust domestic solar manufacturing supply chain to source most of the components for the project. The major part of its 1.6 million solar modules were manufactured by American companies, with a portion of key components manufactured locally in Chicago using 100% US–made steel.
Swift Current Energy started the greenfield development of Double Black Diamond Solar in 2018. It began producing power in 2024.
