Amber Meadow Solar Seeks Exempt Wholesale Generator Status

Strategic Insights -

Amber Meadow Solar, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ESI Energy, LLC, has submitted a notice of self-certification to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, seeking exempt wholesale generator (EWG) status. The company plans to own and operate a 200 MW solar photovoltaic generating facility in Irwin County, Georgia, which is expected to commence commercial operation in the fall of 2028. Amber Meadow Solar claims that it satisfies the requirements for EWG status, which includes exclusively engaging in the business of owning or operating eligible facilities and selling electric energy at wholesale.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amber Meadow Solar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ESI Energy, LLC, which is itself a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC.
  • The company plans to own and operate a 200 MW solar photovoltaic generating facility in Irwin County, Georgia, which will sell electric energy at wholesale.
  • Amber Meadow Solar claims to satisfy the requirements for EWG status, which includes exclusively engaging in the business of owning or operating eligible facilities and selling electric energy at wholesale.
  • The company will engage in certain incidental activities, including leasing or renting property, trading emission allowances, selling byproducts of generation, and purchasing project development activities.
  • Amber Meadow Solar will not make sales of power at retail and will notify the Commission of any material change in facts that may affect its eligibility for EWG status.
  • A copy of this Notice has been filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission, the state commission of the state in which the Facility is located.

Statistics:

  • The facility is expected to commence commercial operation in the fall of 2028.
  • The facility will have a capacity of 200 MW.
  • As of the end of the second quarter of 2025, Vanguard, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., holds 10.78% of the outstanding shares of NextEra Energy, Inc.
  • Vanguard holds blanket authorization under FPA Section 203(a)(2) to acquire securities of any individual publicly traded U.S. utility, up to 20% ownership in aggregate or 10% ownership by any individual Vanguard fund.

Sources:

  • THE VANGUARD GROUP, Inc., et al., Docket No. EC19-57-002, Quarterly Compliance Filing for Q2 of 2025 (Aug. 6, 2025).
  • 18 C.F.R. § 366.7.
  • 18 C.F.R. § 366.1.
  • Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, §§ 1261-77, 119 Stat. 594, 972-78 (2005).
  • The Vanguard Group, Inc., 168 FERC P 62,081 (2019).
  • The Vanguard Group, Inc., 180 FERC P 62,065 (2022).