Solar developer Avantus (formerly 8minute) has broken ground at a 110MW solar project in Texas.
The Galloway 2 solar project, in Concho county, is expected to come online by the end of 2023.
The majority of the project’s energy is committed to BASF Corporation, who is purchasing renewables to offset the energy demand at its Freeport, Texas site.
The Galloway 2 project is owned by Allianz Capital Partners, with Avantus maintaining a minority stake in the project.
RES is providing EPC services.
Galloway 2 is Avantus’ second utility-scale project development in the Paint Rock area, with many workers returning to support Galloway 2.
It will create over 250 peak construction jobs and will generate more than $18m in local property taxes, supporting essential local services, like education, the county hospital, and public safety.
More than half of this funding will directly benefit the Paint Rock School District, which is located less than five miles from the project.
“Texas leads the nation in energy production, so it’s no surprise the Lone Star State is leading the charge in building out massive amounts of clean energy.
“Today, solar is not only one of the lowest cost forms of electricity generation, but also one of the fastest growing workforces in America.
“Here in Texas, we are creating lifelong careers in clean energy that can sustain generations to come,” said Tom Buttgenbach, Founder and CEO of Avantus.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, attendees toured the construction site. Initial work began at the site in the summer of 2022 and is currently at peak construction.
“Galloway 2 has been such a great addition to our local economy here in Paint Rock,” said Paint Rock Mayor Francis Maupin. “Our town is busier than ever, and the tax revenue will help create real benefits for our school and community for years to come.”
Avantus has already brought 600 MW (dc) of solar energy online with more than 4GW of solar and 12 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage under development across the state.