Ørsted to Build its 1st Solar Energy Plus Storage Facility in Texas

Ørsted has commenced construction on its first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project, the 460 MW Permian Energy Center in Andrews County, Texas.

The leading developer of Offshore wind energy projects globally, Ørsted has announced recently that following final investment decision from its Board of Directors it has commenced construction on the company’s first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project, the 460-Megawatt (MW) Permian Energy Center in Andrews County, Texas.

The project is expected to be commissioned by mid-2021. Upon completion of the project, Ørsted will become the first energy company to operate the full spectrum of on- and offshore wind, solar PV and storage solutions in the US market.

The Permian Energy Center will comprise 420 MW of solar PV and 40 MW of battery storage located on a 3,600-acre site alongside existing oil and gas installations and will supply growing West Texas demand for electricity. In a region synonymous with traditional energy production, the project underscores the increasing cost competitiveness of renewable energy.

Henrik Poulsen, CEO said that the firm is very excited to be moving ahead with the Permian Energy Center project and to be adding solar plus storage to its rapidly growing portfolio of US onshore assets.

“With the completion of Permian, Ørsted will have a US portfolio of operating assets that span the full spectrum of offshore and onshore renewable energy technologies, which we believe is important as we look to offer our customers the most competitive and diverse clean energy solutions into the future,” he added.

The solar modules for the Permian Energy Center will be supplied by Jinko Solar and JA Solar, the number one and number two global suppliers, respectively, in 2018.

“We are delighted to be adding this substantial solar plus storage capability to our portfolio. The Permian Energy Center is a landmark project that demonstrates Ørsted’s ability to deliver clean and competitive energy solutions to the dynamic US energy market,” commented Declan Flanagan, CEO of Lincoln Clean Energy, Ørsted’s US Onshore arm.