IKEA retailer building solar park in Williamsburg County

WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The largest IKEA retailer is bringing operations to South Carolina by building a new solar park in Kingstree.

Ingka Investments is building Kingstree West, which will produce about 186 GWh annually and consist of 178,000 modules.

According to Ingka, the facility’s annual energy output equals a yearly consumption of 15,200 South Carolina households.

“Ingka Investment anticipates that the construction of the solar park will temporarily stimulate the local economy through employment and apprenticeships in construction and maintenance,” the company said.

They are also paying for the park’s establishment without additional costs to the community. Officials estimate the solar park will allow the county to benefit from $7.6 million in future property tax revenue over the project’s duration.

A separate project 27 miles east of Kingstree West is being developed. The South Carolina Public Utilities Commission recently approved a request for this facility to receive a certificate of public convenience and necessity.