Construction has started on the 347-MWDC SunRoper Solar project in Wharton County, Texas. SunRoper is expected to begin operations in December 2027 and will export power on the ERCOT grid.
Credit: OCI Solar
“SunRoper demonstrates how strategic partnerships can help meet Texas’ growing demand for electricity through investments in critical energy infrastructure,” said Sabah Bayatli, President, OCI Energy, one of the project’s developers. “Today’s groundbreaking also marks the beginning of an important new chapter for the partnership between OCI Energy and Arava Power and reflects the strength of collaboration across development, financing, construction and energy procurement.”
SunRoper is being jointly developed by OCI Energy and Arava Power, an Israeli renewable energy developer. The solar project is being built by WHC, an international construction firm with a U.S. headquarters in Louisiana. A Fortune 500 company has reportedly signed a power purchase agreement for a portion of the solar project’s output, according to a press release.
“WHC is proud to serve as EPC contractor on the SunRoper Solar project, bringing our construction expertise to bear on a facility that will deliver meaningful power to the Houston region. This groundbreaking reflects months of careful planning and coordination with OCI Energy, Arava Power and our project partners, and we look forward to executing a safe, high-quality build through to completion in 2027,” said Randel Badeaux, President of Power, North America for WHC.
News item from OCI Energy