Engie North America has started construction of the 225MW Long Draw solar farm in Texas.
The project, which is located in Borden County, is slated to come online in the summer of 2020.
It will deliver electricity to four Texas municipalities – New Braunfels, Denton, Garland, and Kerrville – and their electric utilities via a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project’s full capacity.
Long Draw will comprise over 800,000 solar panels, employ some 150 people during peak construction, and generate total estimated tax payments to Borden County and the Borden County Independent School District of more than $10m over the life of project, Engie said.
It added that the PPA stemmed from an original request for solar energy proposals issued by New Braunfels Utilities, which in turn partnered with Denton Municipal Electric, Garland Power & Light and Kerrville Public Utility Board on the purchase.
New Braunfels Utilities has contracted 100MW, Denton will purchase 75MW and Garland and Kerrville 25MW each.
Engie North America head of solar development Luis Felipe Birolini said: “We’re so glad to join with leaders here in Borden County and with our customers to support them in creating new opportunities to diversify their renewable energy sources on a meaningful scale.
“We look forward to completing the project in the summer of 2020, and to providing zero carbon, affordable energy for years to come.”
New Braunfels Utilities chief executive Ian Taylor said: “New Braunfels Utilities is pleased to be a part of Engie’s Long Draw solar project, and today’s groundbreaking ceremony.
“Today culminates many months of hard work and dedication to further enable NBU to be good stewards of our environment – and to deliver affordable and reliable energy to our customers.
“This project is a great example of municipal entities working together for the best of their customers and embodies NBU’s mission in action, to provide innovative, essential services. We look forward to this project coming online next year.”
Garland Power & Light general manager and chief executive Jeff Janke said: “Garland Power & Light looks forward to adding solar from the Long Draw Project to our power portfolio.
“This affordable resource will support GP&L’s competitive rate strategy.”
Kerrville Public Utility Board general manager and chief executive Mike Wittler said: “KPUB is excited to see this project move forward. It will help us ensure that our customers have competitive, stable rates for years to come.”