Pattern Energy Group LP has successfully completed financing and started construction of its 105 MWt direct current Phoenix Solar Project located in Fannin County, Texas. ING Capital LLC provided construction and term project financing and tax equity was provided by RBC Community Investments, a subsidiary of RBC. Phoenix Solar is one of many solar projects Pattern Energy has in development across Texas and around the world.
“This project is a win-win for Fannin County residents as it creates many benefits, including up to 200 jobs and more than $15 million in revenue for local schools and the county, while generating clean power for 20,000 homes,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy.
Phoenix Solar is expected to be completed in mid-2021. The project has a 12-year power purchase agreement with Digital Realty, a leading global provider of carrier- and cloud-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions.
Phoenix Solar will utilize components including First Solar Series 6 modules and NEXTracker NX Horizon trackers. Mortenson Construction is providing engineering and construction services for the project.
Pattern Energy acquired the development rights to the Phoenix Solar project in 2018 from Alpin Sun, a solar developer. The project expands Pattern Energy’s existing operating platform in Texas where the company has 871 megawatts of wind power in operation at four facilities across the state. Earlier this year, Pattern Energy repowered its Gulf Wind Facility in Kenedy County with new turbines featuring state-of-the-art technology.
“We are pleased to be able to expand access to renewable energy for our customers while making additional progress towards our Science Based Target Initiative carbon emissions reduction commitment,” said Aaron Binkley, Senior Director of Sustainability at Digital Realty. “The Phoenix Solar Project supplies renewable energy at scale in proximity to our Dallas data centers, expanding on our ongoing efforts to enhance local sustainable business practices across our global portfolio.”
Fannin County will see both immediate and long-term economic benefits from the project. Phoenix Solar is projected to provide more than $12 million in new tax revenue to the Bonham Independent School District and more than $3 million to Fannin County over the life of the project. Additionally, the project will contribute revenue in the form of long-term lease payments to project landowners.
-- Solar Builder magazine
