JACKSON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia state leaders joined the top executives of three companies Saturday to break ground on a project to build the future of American manufacturing on a foundation of clean energy.
The groundbreaking event was held on more than 2,000 acres of land in Jackson County. BHE Renewables, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy business, is developing the property into a first-of-its-kind solar energy microgrid-powered industrial site.
Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC), a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. business, will be the first company to locate on the site and will develop a state-of-the-art titanium melt facility.
The new plant, which will operate under the PCC subsidiary Titanium Metals Corporation, Inc., (TIMET), will employ approximately 200 people and expects to use 100% renewable energy to manufacture titanium products for the aerospace and other industries.
To ensure access to solar energy even when the sun doesn’t shine, BHE Renewables has selected ONE – Our Next Energy, Inc. – as its partner for large-scale battery storage.
BHE Renewables is purchasing the land, home to a shuttered aluminum plant, from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority and will work with the West Virginia Economic Development Authority to bring additional businesses to the site to benefit from the prime manufacturing location and renewable energy infrastructure.
“We’re proud to deliver this new sustainable energy solution for PCC, their customers and the people of Jackson County,” said BHE Renewables President and CEO Alicia Knapp.
Steve Wright, president of PCC Metals Group, said, “As the global aerospace demand for titanium continues to increase, our new state-of-the-art facility will provide the capacity and capability to meet our customers’ needs for decades to come, utilizing renewable energy. We believe our partnerships with BHE Renewables, ONE and the state of West Virginia will greatly benefit the success of our next-generation, sustainable melt facility.”
In addition to the original $500 million investment being made on this project, ONE announced Saturday it will build a new Aries Grid factory on the site.
The factory will bring an additional $22 million in investment to the project and generate 105 more jobs. Scheduled to open in 2025, the factory will build Aries Grid utility-scale battery storage systems using Michigan-made lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells.
“The Ravenswood project represents a historic transition to renewable energy-based manufacturing in the U.S. and establishes a standard for others to follow,” said Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO and Founder of ONE.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice says that the groundbreaking was only the beginning of much more to come for Jackson County.
“Today’s groundbreaking is the beginning of an incredible renaissance for Jackson County. Our partnership with BHE Renewables, PCC, TIMET, and now Our Next Energy, proves we can attract world-class companies to our state that will provide good-paying jobs for the next generation of West Virginians,” Justice said.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said, “Today’s groundbreaking is recognition once again that West Virginia is a smart energy investment. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, BHE Renewables’ new industrial site in Jackson County will create hundreds of good-paying jobs right here in West Virginia that help reinvigorate American manufacturing, all while being powered by a first-of-its kind microgrid that will provide clean energy to the businesses located on the site.”
West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said, “There is a growing momentum behind the business climate in West Virginia right now, and breaking ground today on this project is another step in the right direction. I am thankful for all of our state leaders and business executives who have played a role in making today’s celebration possible, and I will continue to work hard in the U.S. Senate to drive future investments and development to our state.”
West Virginia Congresswoman Carol Mille said, “I am honored to stand with other state and federal leaders during this groundbreaking event as the first solar energy microgrid-powered industrial site project is unveiled in Jackson County, As co-chair of the Energy Export Caucus, I know this important project will aid in producing energy in our communities and stimulate economic growth that will create new jobs in West Virginia.”