TotalEnergies and its partner 174 Power Global have started construction of the 80MW Midlothian Gerdau solar farm in the US state of Texas.
The companies are developing the project under a 50:50 joint venture, with steel producer Gerdau Long Steel North America buying electricity generated under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
The 283-hectare site, directly adjacent to the Gerdau Midlothian steel mill, will be comprised of more than 231,000 solar panels and Gerdau’s solar beam pilings.
Midlothian Gerdau will create more than 200 construction jobs and provide benefits to the local community, including generating an estimated $19m in tax revenue over the next 30 years.
The project is expected to reach commercial operation by the summer of 2023.
174 Power Global President Henry Yun said: “Breaking ground at the Gerdau Solar project is an important milestone that expands our solar footprint and brings us one step closer to generating more clean power for Texas.
“We are pleased to partner with Gerdau and TotalEnergies as we start construction on one of the largest BTM solar facilities in the nation that will provide environmental and economic benefits to Midlothian.”
Gerdau Long Steel North America president Chia Yuan Wang said: “Sustainability is core to Gerdau and our Midlothian facility, and we look forward to using the green energy generated by the Gerdau Solar project to reduce our environmental footprint and bring long-lasting economic benefits to Midlothian.”
TotalEnergies Renewables USA managing director Marc-Antoine Pignon said: “TotalEnergies is proud to partner with 174 Power Global and Gerdau on one of the largest behind-the-meter solar plant in the US.
“This groundbreaking ceremony is a concrete proof of our common will to bring the energy transition to reality.
“This project represents our company’s commitment to continued expansion in the US utility-scale solar market and supports our ambition to achieve multiple gigawatts of gross renewables production capacity in the US by 2025.”