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Sunstone Solar Project (FKA Echo Solar Project)

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The Sunstone Solar Project is an approved, but not yet constructed, solar photovoltaic power generation facility with up to 1,200 megawatts of generating capacity. In addition to the proposed solar photovoltaic arrays, the facility is authorized to include:

- Up to 7,200 MW hours of battery storage capacity.
- An interconnection substation.
- Up to six collector substations.
- Up to four operations and maintenance buildings.
- Up to 9.5 miles of 230-kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission lines.
- Other structures including roads, perimeter fencing, and gates.

The facility is authorized to occupy up to approximately 9,442 acres (14.75 sq. miles) of private land zoned for Exclusive Farm Use within an approximately 10,960-acre (17-sq. mile) site in Morrow County, Oregon.

Approved/Under Review.

On July 24, 2025, the Department received preliminary Request for Amendment 1 (pRFA1). On October 29, 2025 the Department determined pRFA1 to be complete, and on October 31, 2025 the certificate holder filed a complete RFA1 with the Department. RFA1 seeks Council approval for the following changes to the site certificate: Split the approved facility into six separate facilities; each with their own site boundary and certificate holder under separate site certificates. The split would amend the current site certificate and create five new site certificates; Modify the transmission line corridor, in length and location; Increase the footprint (acreage) of the Phase 1 substation from 1.6 to 7.3 acres; and Amend several conditions to be consistent with the site certificate split. On October 31, 2025 the Department issued the proposed order (PO) for RFA1, recommending Council approve the requested changes in RFA1. On the same day, the Department issued the public notice of the complete RFA, PO, PO Public Hearing and comment period on RFA1. Details on the hearing and how to participate remotely are available below:

Public Hearing on Proposed Order:

Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PT)
Location: Oregon Dept of Energy, Meitner Room
550 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97301

Webinar Link: https://odoe.webex.com/odoe/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb7b8160f5c9be4dfaa22db12d9ee04ef

Webinar number:  2662 392 2307
Webinar password: EFSC (3372 from phones and video systems)
Call In: +1-650-479-3208
Access code: 2662 392 2307

 Written comments on RFA1 and the PO must be received by the Department by 5 p.m. PST on December 5, 2025, and must be submitted in writing by mail or email per below:

Chase McVeigh-Walker, Senior Siting Analyst
Oregon Department of Energy
550 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97301
Email: Chase.mcveigh-walker@energy.oregon.gov

RFA1 for the Sunstone Solar Project is being processed under the revised rules governing the amendment of site certificates under OAR chapter 345, division 027.

​Morrow County, approximately 15 miles northeast of Lexington, Oregon.​ PDF Map | Online Map

Applicant/Certificate holder: Sunstone Solar, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pine Gate Renewables, LLC
ODOE contact: Chase McVeigh-Walker
Applicant/Certificate holder contact: Charlene Mortyn

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Project Amendment(s)

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Display Name
  
Description
Display Date
  
10/31/2025
10/31/2025
10/31/2025

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Project Timeline

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Milestone
  
Additional Documents
Display Date
  
Notice of Intent
05/10/2022
09/27/2022
Complete Application for Site Certificate

​Exhibit A: Applicant Information 
Exhibit B: Project Description
Exhibit C: Property Location and Maps
Exhibit D: Organizational Information
Exhibit E: Permits Required
Exhibit F: Property Ownership 
Exh​ibit G: Materials Analysis
Exhibit H: Geology and Soil Stability 
Exhibit I: Soils 
Exhibit J: Wetlands
Exhibit K: Land Use
Exhibit L: Protected Areas
Exhibit M: Financial Analysis
Exhibit N: Non-generating Facility Information
Exhibit O: Water Requirements
Exhibit P: Fish Wildlife Habitat 
Exhibit Q: Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals
Exhibit R: Scenic Aesthetic Values 
Exhibit S: Cultural Resources
Exhibit T: Recreational Facilities 
Exhibit U: Public Services
Exhibit V: Wildfire
Exhibit W: Waste Minimization 
Exhibit X: Site Restoration
Exhibit Y: Noise 
Exhibit Z: Cooling Towers  
Exhibit AA: EMFs – Electric and Magnetic Fields
Exhibit BB: Other Information
Exhibit CC: Additional Statutes Rules Ordinances
Exhibit DD​​​: Other Specific Standards​​​

05/16/2024
11/18/2024
11/18/2024

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Exhibit Files Reference

  • Exhibit A: Applicant Information 
  • Exhibit B: Project Description
  • Exhibit C: Property Location and Maps
  • Exhibit D: Organizational Information
  • Exhibit E​: Permits Required
  • Exhibit F: Property Ownership 
  • Exhibit G: Materials Analysis
  • Exhibit H: Geology and Soil Stability 
  • Exhibit I: Soils
  • Exhibit J: Wetlands
  • Exhibit K: Land Use
  • Exhibit L: Protected Areas
  • Exhibit M: Financial Analysis
  • Exhibit N​: Non-generating Facility Information
  • Exhibit O: Water Requirements
  • Exhibit P: Fish Wildlife Habitat 
  • Exhibit Q: Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals
  • Exhibit R: Scenic Aesthetic Values 
  • Exhibit S: Cultural Resources
  • Exhibit T: Recreational Facilities 
  • Exhibit U: Public Services
  • Exhibit V​: Waste Minimization 
  • Exhibit W: Site Restoration
  • Exhibit X: Noise 
  • Exhibit Y: Carbon Dioxide Emissions 
  • Exhibit Z: Cooling Towers  
  • Exhibit AA: EMFs – Electric and Magnetic Fields
  • Exhibit BB: Other Information
  • Exhibit CC: Additional Statutes Rules Ordinances
  • Exhibit DD​: Other Specific Standards