Texas closed more than 4GW of coal plants last year but there are still 19GW left. More solar along with the huge amounts of wind still being installed will help shutdown the remaining.
Solar in TX will grow quickly and TX will eventually pass CA in solar capacity.
The Roadrunner solar farm will enter into service in two phases, according to EGPNA. The first phase, comprised of 252MW, is expected to be complete by the end of 2019, while the remaining 245MW of capacity is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.
“This plant is the latest major milestone for Enel’s operations in the US renewable market, where we have already started construction of projects for almost 1 GW this year. The US market is rich with opportunities for growth and has an increasing appetite for sustainable electricity. Projects like Roadrunner are indicative of our ability to capitalize on this trend while boosting the diversity of the business both in geography and technology.”
Upton County, besides being the home of the Roadrunner solar farm when completed, also hosts part of the EGPNA 450MW High Lonesome wind project. Construction of the Lonesome Wind project started in January.
Texas has less than 3GW of solar installed today, compared to 25GW of wind, but that is about to change.