J-Power Finds Partners to Co-Develop 350 MW Solar Project in Texas

Solar Plus Development and Avondale Solar have entered into an agreement with J-Power USA to jointly develop a 350 MW solar project in Texas

PC: OPDEnergy

Solar Plus Development, a subsidiary of Plus Renewable Technologies, and Avondale Solar have entered into an agreement with J-Power USA to jointly develop a 350 MW solar PV project in Wharton County, Texas. The Red-Tailed Hawk Solar project which the firm has been developing via their equally owned joint venture company, AP Solar Holdings.

AP Solar Holdings is a joint development company created by Avondale and Plus to provide a full suite of development services and capabilities for Avondale and Plus’ utility-scale solar power project development portfolio in the ERCOT power market.

The project is expected to break ground in second half of 2020 and be operational by the summer of 2022. Due to its close proximity to the Houston metro area, the Red-Tailed Hawk Solar is expected to experience minimal curtailment and basis risk to the premium Houston Zone of ERCOT.

Trevor Nash, CEO of AP Solar Holdings said, “we are very pleased to be working with J-Power USA on the development of Red-Tailed Hawk Solar, and, based on the market dynamics and data that we are seeing, Red-Tailed Hawk Solar will be well positioned to provide low cost renewable power to the Houston Zone.”

J-Power USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of J-Power North America, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power) with headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan.

Mark Condon, President and CEO of J-Power USA, said, “we are excited to be involved in Red-Tailed Hawk Solar, which is strategically located in the fastest growing load pocket in ERCOT. This transaction is the first for us in the US renewable energy market and we looks forward to working with AP Solar to meet consumer demand for clean and reliable power for the Houston Zone.”

Recently, we had reports that the Arkansas Public Service Commission had approved a new utility-scale solar project that will provide Entergy Arkansas customers with 100 megawatts (MW) of solar power and 10 megawatts of battery storage. The Searcy Solar project in White County will be the largest utility-owned solar project in the state and the first to feature battery storage.