US-based solar developer 7X has announced that Brazos will buy more solar energy from Lapetus project in West Texas.
Image:. 7X Energy to sell additional solar power from Lapetus project to Brazos. Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash.
The additional solar power purchased by Brazos from the solar project will be supplied to seven of its distribution cooperatives.
The sale increases the project capacity from 25MW to 67.5MW. 7X has been developing the Lapetus solar project that would deliver firm blocks (SolarBlocks) to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) north trading hub.
The fixed blocks of solar are designed to lock in low energy rates during critical periods when electricity would be expensive and eliminates the intermittent variability and weather risk of delivered energy associated with traditional solar power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Knowing the value of the firm blocks of power initially obtained earlier this year, Brazos has ordered more power from Lapetus project for its distribution cooperatives.
7X Energy CEO Clay Butler said: “In our continued effort to make renewable energy procurement easier for buyers, we’re excited that Brazos Electric and their members recognized the value of firm blocks.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs, and that, combined with a steadfast reputation for dependable project execution, is what has made 7X into a market leader today.”
As per the earlier solar power deal, Brazos Electric was supported in the origination and negotiation of the solar energy contract by the National Renewables Cooperative Organization NRCO.
NRCO offers full origination and development services for its owner-members and electric cooperative customers, completing more than 1,600MW of wind and solar projects till date.,
Brazos Electric’s executive vice president and general manager Clifton Karnei said, “After taking a poll of our owner-members, seven of our distribution cooperatives requested Brazos to procure cost-effective solar power to supply to their retail members.
“Brazos Electric again appreciated the opportunity to work with 7X Energy in negotiating the solar PPA on behalf of our seven members to purchase solar power for our owner-members.”
Owned and developed by 7X Energy, the Lapetus project will be constructed in Andrews County area in Texas and scheduled to start construction in the next six months.
During the construction, the solar facility is anticipated to create approximately 150 jobs to the county and bring millions in local property tax revenue over the life of the project.
The Brazos procurement agreement is claimed to represent the largest solar energy contract to date with an electric cooperative in Texas.