Canadian Solar-subsidiary Recurrent Energy has started construction on the 144 MWac Pflugerville solar project in Travis County, Texas.
Recurrent Energy signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Austin Energy in 2018 for the Pflugerville solar project to provide low-cost solar power to the utility’s customers for 15 years following the start of operation.
This PPA supports Austin Energy’s renewable energy goals which commit the utility to cost-effectively reduce emissions and includes plans to exit from its coal-fired power generation by the end of 2022.
Austin Energy serves more than 500,000 customers in the City of Austin, as well as several neighboring areas of Travis County and Williamson County.
Jackie Sargent, general manager of Austin Energy, said: “The project expands our renewable portfolio and advances our climate protection goals.”
The Pflugerville solar project is expected to create permanent jobs to support the operation and maintenance of the power plant, as well as more than 350 construction jobs of which at least 50 percent will be performed by local workers.
Recurrent Energy recently closed debt and tax equity financing totalling over $234 million to support construction of the Pflugerville Solar Project. The tax equity financing was provided by U.S. Bank and the debt financing was provided by a bank club led by CIT Bank, which included Norddeutsche Landesbank, Rabobank and Zions Bank.