The Wabash County Board has approved an amendment to RWE’s Friendsville solar project, increasing the planned project capacity by 25 megawatts.
The amended permit adds eight parcels totaling about 435 acres to the project. RWE says the expansion will increase the project’s total capacity from 425 to 450 megawatts, with roughly 3,300 acres ultimately containing solar equipment.
Company officials say the additional land became available in part because reclaimed mine areas were ready sooner than expected. They also cited increased landowner interest and changes in the MISO interconnection study timeline.
RWE estimates the expanded project could generate approximately 81-point-5 million dollars in local property tax revenue over its 40-year lifespan, about 10 million dollars more than the previous permit. The company also estimates the project will create about 300 construction jobs and four permanent full-time positions.
During the public hearing, Wabash County Chamber officials and the Mount Carmel Area Economic Alliance spoke in support of the expansion.
The county said the amended application had been reviewed and found to be in compliance with state law and the county’s 2026 solar ordinance. The board unanimously approved the amendment.