Leeward Renewable Energy breaks ground on 200-MW Texas solar project

Leeward Renewable Energy announced the beginning of construction of the 200-MW Horizon Solar project near the city of Pearsall in Frio County, Texas. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 15.

The project will create approximately 400 construction jobs, and Leeward is committed to hiring local qualified workers. In addition to job creation, Horizon Solar will provide numerous benefits to the local community, including significant economic investment, approximately $30 million in tax payments for the county and schools, and 500,000 MWh annually of emission-free renewable energy. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2023.

“We are pleased to begin construction at our Horizon Solar project,” said Omar Aboudaher, LRE’s VP of development. “Today marks another important milestone in the development of the 200-MW Texas solar facility, bringing LRE one step closer to providing clean, renewable energy. We thank the community and officials of Frio County for their support and look forward to a long-term partnership.”

LRE previously announced four 15-year Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements with Verizon Communications, through which Verizon will purchase the energy generated at Horizon Solar, in addition to energy generated by three other LRE projects. Horizon Solar will also provide reliable, renewable energy and offset the equivalent emissions of more than 40,000 average Texas households. The project will include solar components from leading American-based companies, including solar modules from First Solar and smart solar tracker solutions from NexTracker.

“At Verizon, we are committed to reducing our impact on the planet through proven sustainable and socially responsible strategies and programs,” said James Gowen, Verizon’s chief sustainability officer and senior VP of global supply chain. “The latest development in our work with LRE helps build a greener U.S. energy grid, and the Horizon Solar project facility is another key component on our way to achieving net zero emissions in our direct operations by 2035.”

News item from Leeward Renewable Energy

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/06/leeward-renewable-energy-breaks-ground-200-mw-solar-project/