Naturgy turns sod on Texas PV giant

• Developer is investing EUR264m in the 7V Solar Ranch project due online prior to completion of 2023

Naturgy has started constructing a 300MW (DC) solar project in Texas, its largest to date and also its first on United States soil.

The developer is spending EUR264m in the 7V Solar Ranch project, which will certainly occupy a location of more than 800 hectares in Fayette County.

The plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation prior to completion of 2023.

Naturgy stated the plant's strategic location, close to major metropolitan centres such as Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, will permit it to offer an area of high prospective as well as growing demand.

"Beginning building of this brand-new center is a landmark for Naturgy, not only due to the fact that it is the very first in the USA and the firm's biggest photovoltaic or pv plant on the planet, however additionally since it shows our firm commitment to the development of renewable resources and the energy shift," said Naturgy chairman Francisco Reynes.

The project will develop an average of 200 jobs during construction work, getting to around 600 workers sometimes of peak work.

Naturgy prepares to invest greater than EUR1bn in the US over the following few years to reach an operating capacity of 500MW by 2023 and also 1200MW by 2025.

Last year, Naturgy obtained a portfolio of 25 projects in the United States, completing more than 3.5 GW, and signed a special five-year development agreement with Candela Renewables.

This agreement allows the growth of solar as well as energy storage projects solely for Naturgy, the first of which is 7V Ranch Solar.