Naturgy has begun constructing a 300MW (DC) solar project in Texas, its largest to date and its first on US soil.
The developer is investing €264m in the 7V Solar Ranch project, which will occupy an area of more than 800 hectares in Fayette County.
The plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation before the end of 2023.
Naturgy said the plant’s strategic location, close to major urban centres such as Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, will allow it to serve an area of high potential and growing demand.
“Starting construction of this new facility is a milestone for Naturgy, not only because it is the first in the United States and the company’s largest photovoltaic plant in the world, but also because it demonstrates our firm commitment to the development of renewable energies and the energy transition,” said Naturgy chairman Francisco Reynes.
The project will create an average of 200 jobs during construction work, reaching around 600 workers at times of peak workload.
Naturgy plans to invest more than €1bn in the US over the next few years to reach an operating capacity of 500MW by 2023 and 1200MW by 2025.
Last year, Naturgy acquired a portfolio of 25 projects in the United States, totalling more than 3.5GW, and signed an exclusive five-year development agreement with Candela Renewables.
This agreement enables the development of solar and energy storage projects exclusively for Naturgy, the first of which is 7V Ranch Solar.