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without the need for new impoundments or major environmental disruption. Another key factor in the decision was the availability of federal incentives, particularly through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Agilitas Energy expects to benefit from the clean energy investment tax credit (ITC) as well as the energy community adders that apply to both of the project sites. “These are energy communities where there’s a
strong desire to bring new clean energy investment,” Bilotta says. “The ITC adders make these projects even more attractive, helping to improve returns and support financing.” For Agilitas Energy, the IRA’s support for hydropower aligns with its strategy to build a balanced portfolio of clean energy assets that can thrive under evolving federal and state policy frameworks. The additional ITC boosts for energy communities also allow the company to deliver benefits to historically coal-dependent areas now transitioning to cleaner power sources.
A foothold for further growth Bilotta says the Tygart and Jennings Randolph
acquisitions represent only the beginning of Agilitas Energy’s hydropower ambitions. “We’re absolutely looking to expand,” he says. “We’re very interested in acquiring additional hydro assets, particularly small run-of-river facilities under 10MW.” The company is exploring opportunities in the US, with an initial focus on projects in PJM and other familiar markets. But Bilotta doesn’t rule out international possibilities either. “If the right opportunity came along that made sense for us and aligned with our goals, we’d certainly take a look at it,” he says. Hydropower’s potential to provide reliable, low- carbon electricity over very long timeframes makes it a compelling complement to Agilitas Energy’s existing solar and storage business. And Bilotta emphasises that hydro fits squarely within the company’s mission. “We’re focused on bringing clean, reliable energy to the grid and doing it in a way that provides long-term value,” he says. “Hydro really fits that mold.”
Building on past success Agilitas Energy’s entry into hydropower comes on
the heels of its steady growth in the solar and storage space. With a portfolio of assets across several states, the company has established itself as a reliable partner for utilities and communities seeking to decarbonise their energy supply. Bilotta notes that the company’s expertise in developing, financing, and operating complex energy projects gives it a strong foundation for success in hydro. “At the end of the day, developing a hydro project shares a lot in common with what we’ve done in solar and storage,” he says. “It’s about managing risk, aligning with stakeholders, and delivering projects that make sense for the market.” Agilitas Energy’s vertically integrated model – handling development, construction, operations, and asset management – allows it to control costs and maintain quality throughout the lifecycle of a project. That’s an advantage the company hopes to bring to hydropower as well.
Operational plans While both the Tygart and Jennings Randolph projects
are several years from completion, Agilitas Energy is
already thinking through its operational approach. Bilotta says the company plans to bring its in-house operations and asset management capabilities to bear, while also drawing on external expertise as needed. “We have a strong internal team for asset management, and we’ll look to build on that as we expand into hydro,” he says. “We want to make sure we’re operating these assets efficiently and responsibly from day one.” As the projects advance toward construction, Agilitas
Energy will also work closely with local communities, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and engagement throughout the process. “We’re very focused on doing things the right way – building relationships, being good stewards of the environment, and creating lasting value,” Bilotta adds.
A complementary portfolio For Agilitas Energy, hydro’s value goes beyond the
attributes of any individual project. The company sees its growing hydro portfolio as part of a broader strategy to create a balanced mix of assets that can meet the evolving needs of US power markets. “Hydro gives us baseload power that complements
the intermittent nature of solar and the flexibility of storage,” Bilotta explains. “It’s about creating a portfolio that can deliver value across different market conditions and timeframes.” Bilotta adds that being able to offer a range of
technologies makes the company more resilient to policy shifts, market changes, and other external pressures. “We think having that diversification – solar, storage, and now hydro – gives us a much stronger position long-term,” he says. As Agilitas Energy works to bring its first hydropower
projects to fruition, the company remains focused on the fundamentals that have driven its success to date: careful project selection, disciplined execution, and a commitment to long-term value. Bilotta is optimistic about what hydropower will mean for Agilitas Energy’s future. “This is just the beginning for us in hydro,” he says. “We see a lot of opportunity, and we’re excited to continue building out this part of our business.”
With Tygart and Jennings Randolph setting the stage, Agilitas Energy’s move into hydropower reflects both a strategic evolution and a deepening commitment to the clean energy transition. As Bilotta puts it: “We’re here for the long term – and hydro is going to be a big part of that.”
www.waterpowermagazine.com | August 2025 | 11
Above: The 30MW Tygart Hydropower Project in Grafton, West Virginia is one of two projects recently acquired by Agilitas Energy, marking its entry into the hydropower sector
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