Gilliam County Wind Turbines to be Retooled to power Data Centers in TD

File Photo - here is an image of the windmills operating in Gilliam County next to the Northwest Grain Growers soft white wheat piles five miles south of Arlington on highway 19. These windmills will be upgraded to power Google data centers in The Dalles, according to Avangrid, Inc.

Gilliam County, Ore., July 22, 2025 — Avangrid, Inc. announced today it will invest nearly $200 million to retool its Leaning Juniper IIB wind energy facility in Gilliam County, extending the project’s life, boosting energy production, and supplying more than 100 megawatts of power to Google’s data centers in The Dalles.

The move underscores the increasing energy demands of Oregon’s growing data center sector, while also promising construction jobs, tax revenue, and economic benefits for north-central Oregon.

Avangrid signed a power purchase agreement with Google to supply renewable energy to the company’s sprawling data center campus, which has taken much of the industrial land in the Port of The Dalles and created around 200 full-time jobs.

The Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District will deliver the power from the wind farm to the data centers.

“Working in collaboration with Google, we are making a significant investment to upgrade our existing facility that will make it run better and generate more energy than before,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda.

The wind turbine project, originally built in 2010 will see its 74 turbines upgraded with new rotors, nacelles, generators and reinforced foundations. The blade tip height will increase from 389 to 422 feet, improving output — enough to power about 31,000 homes annually.

Google spokespersons noted the project helps support the company’s commitment to carbon-free energy, which powers services like Search, Maps, and Cloud.

Northern Wasco County PUD General Manager Roger Kline called the partnership “innovative,” adding it would “advance our regional clean energy capacity and deliver lasting economic benefits and sustainable infrastructure investments to our community.”

Construction is expected to support 150 jobs, most filled by Oregon union labor, and generate an estimated $20 million in tax revenue over the life of the project, including $2.8 million in local improvement payments to Gilliam County in the next decade.

Avangrid is utilizing the Oregon’s Strategic Investment Program, which reduces overall property taxes in exchange for other cash payments.

The Oregon Strategic Investment Program (SIP) is a state economic development tool that reduces property taxes on large capital investments by capping the taxable value of a qualifying project at a set amount — often far below its market value — for up to 15 years.

In exchange, the company pays a negotiated “community service fee” to help offset some of the lost tax revenue. While intended to attract and retain major employers, SIP has drawn criticism from some local taxpayers who feel it creates an uneven playing field.

Google also used the SIP strategy to reduce its property taxes in Wasco County during recent negotiations for the latest two additional data centers in The Dalles.

Alphabet, also known as Google, holds a significant position in the technology landscape, consistently ranking among the world's most valuable companies. As of July 2025, Alphabet's market capitalization is $2.307 Trillion USD, according to it’s own Artificial Intelligence Search. This places it as the world's 5th most valuable company by market cap, according to the provided data. 

Residents and small businesses, who must pay property taxes in full, often argue that the program shifts more of the tax burden onto them while benefiting wealthy corporations.

Gilliam County Judge Cris Patnode said Leaning Juniper project reflects the county’s deliberate push to diversify beyond agriculture.

“These jobs attract families and strengthen our communities,” she said, crediting companies like Avangrid with helping keep the “economic engine running.”

Since it began operating, Leaning Juniper II has already contributed about $15 million in property taxes and invested in local services such as libraries, preschools, and fire departments.

The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council is reviewing Avangrid’s request for final approval of the repowering plan, which includes public comments on wildlife monitoring results through Aug. 18. A decision is expected soon following its July 18 meeting.

The upgrades come as demand for renewable energy rises, driven by both corporate commitments and public policy.