innogy, through its subsidiary, has entered into an agreement with Birdseye Renewable Energy to develop 13 solar projects, with a total capacity of 440MW, in the US.

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Image: Belectric solar power plant. Photo: Courtesy of BELECTRIC/innogy SE.

The solar projects are in various stages of development and are claimed to be located within attractive US power markets for renewable power production.

The two companies stated that they will jointly develop the portfolio and innogy will have sole and exclusive rights to acquire projects from the pipeline. innogy will construct and operate the acquired projects.

innogy renewables chief operating officer Hans Bünting said: “Solar power is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the energy sector and is becoming increasingly profitable without subsidies in many markets. The strategic partnership with Birdseye is an excellent starting point for us to develop and grow a valuable solar business in the US.

“Birdseye’s development pipeline and local active engagement with all stakeholders are a perfect fit with our strategy to deliver utility-scale solar projects in promising markets, like North America, with high irradiance and a strong commitment to renewable energy.”

Projects in the pipeline include three late-stage solar projects in North Carolina with a total capacity of about 20MW. Construction of these projects is planned to start early next year and full commercial operation is expected to take place later that year.

Besides, the pipeline includes ten early stage projects totaling 420MW located across the states North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.

BELECTRIC, a subsidiary of innogy, is expected to undertake all construction works (EPC) and will be responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of all projects acquired by innogy from the Birdseye pipeline.

Birdseye Renewable Energy CEO Brian Bednar said: “We are pleased that innogy, with its extensive experience in the renewables business, is on board with us in the development of this solar pipeline.

“Birdseye has built its business on close collaboration with select partners. We consider innogy and BELECTRIC’s culture and capabilities an ideal complement to Birdseye’s development platform. We look forward to advancing the initial 440MW portfolio while also pursuing additional opportunities which grow our relationship in the US solar market.”