Chem-Energy has announced a planned investment of $1 billion in a solar and battery plant project. Development will take place in Central Texas starting spring 2022. The petroleum products giant is among the many firms in the industry seeking to diversify as the world phases out fossil fuels.
The firm will set up two facilities with a capacity to generate 400 MW/800 MWh of battery storage. Another facility with 600 MW of solar power will be built in Caldwell County, Texas. The first of the facilities will be built on 3,511 acres of land in Uhland, Texas, and start generating power in 2023. Exact dates have not been provided.
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The facilities will help generate clean energy and provide stability to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the general Texas grid. Robert Hayward, COO of Chem-Energy Corporation, said that the facilities are strategically located to serve the state.
“Caldwell County is the perfect strategic choice for our flagship operations in Texas,” said Hayward. “With available land in a growing region, close proximity to Texas State University and a robust workforce pipeline, the Texas Innovation Corridor provides an ideal environment for our organization’s growth.”
Construction is expected to offer employment opportunities for locals. According to the company, 400 permanent jobs will be created in the first year of operation. Officials have not given figures concerning temporary and indirect jobs. The project will also be home to America’s first standardized solar PV and battery storage training facility.
Engineering firm Mortenson Construction will help realize these plans. For power storage, KORE Power will help provide high-density NMC batteries. Maintenance and back-office administration services will be handled by Invenergy Services.
As Brad Heitland, business development executive for Mortenson Construction, said, “Chem-Energy’s innovative approach to solar energy will result in a facility design unlike anything seen before in the industry. Solar projects tend to be larger and more complex than other energy generators. I firmly believe that we will be setting a new standard for energy production both in the Texas Innovation Corridor and throughout the state.”
Lead image via Pixabay
