Lightsource bp completes US solar project
Published by Sarah Smith,
Assistant Editor
Energy Global,
Lightsource bp has announced that its Impact Solar project, located in Lamar County, 120 miles northeast of Dallas, US, has successfully completed construction and entered full grid-connected commercial operation. Through a long-term agreement, bp will sell the energy generated by the 260-MW project. The project represents an investment of US$250 million in the Texas region, with 320 workers on site during construction – 84% of which were local hires.
bp is aiming to be a net-zero company by 2050 or sooner. As part of the strategy, by 2030 bp plans to increase low carbon investments to around US$5 billion a year. This includes developing around 50 GW of net renewable energy generating capacity – a 20-fold increase on the 2.5 GW to date.
Orlando Alvarez, bp’s Senior Vice President, gas & power trading Americas, said: “The Impact Solar project in Texas is one of the many ways we are turning our net zero ambition into action. This is a great example of how we are increasing our low carbon investment while leveraging bp’s expertise in the energy markets by trading the electricity generated from the project.”
Generation from the 260 MW Impact Solar project will deliver clean, cost-effective energy for the equivalent of more than 41 000 homes in the Texas market. By providing this renewable power, lightsource bp is eliminating the carbon equivalent of emissions from over 68 000 fuel-burning cars.
Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Americas, Lightsource bp: “This project in Texas is a great example of how our joint venture with bp is furthering our shared mission to accelerate the implementation of solar. Since bp’s initial investment in the company in 2017 and our subsequent expansion into the US, the team has developed a pipeline of 8 GW of large-scale solar projects at various stages of development in 20 states across the US – with more than 2 GW of executed power contracts representing almost US$2 billion in near term projects.”
Enhancing resilience of landowners and their land
Impact Solar is on land that is leased to Lightsource bp from local landowners, providing families with a diversified source of reliable income for 25 or more years, and helping keep the land in the family for generations. For many farmers, the revenue from leasing a portion of their land for solar as a new type of crop can help them continue with their farming business.
Lightsource bp will boost biodiversity around the site by planting wildflowers to support bees and other pollinators, creating bird and bat shelters, and providing habitat for reptiles and amphibians. These initiatives were carefully designed to help improve and maintain the local ecosystem.
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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/solar/18012021/lightsource-bp-completes-us-solar-project/
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