Avangrid’s True North Solar project near Waco, Texas, has achieved commercial operation. It is Avangrid’s largest solar project to date, at 321 MWDC.
True North is delivering electricity to the Texas grid and supporting Meta’s operations, including its upcoming data center in neighboring Temple, its second data center facility in Texas. According to a recent report from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, data centers could rise to 12% of U.S. power consumption by 2028, roughly three-times last year’s level. Projects like this are critical to support this demand growth while ensuring local communities have resilient power for homes and businesses.
“True North is a milestone project for Avangrid and we are proud to see it generating electricity for the Texas grid,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “With a projected boom in data center construction over the next several years that will significantly increase energy demand, projects like True North are and will be vital to ensuring the resiliency and reliability of the Texas electrical grid. Furthermore, these facilities represent new sources of locally produced power that will support the state’s growing economy for decades to come.”
True North created about 300 jobs at the peak of construction, most of which were filled by people from the surrounding region. True North represents $369 million in investment in central Texas. It is projected to contribute over $40 million in property taxes throughout its lifetime, directly benefiting public services in Falls County and the surrounding communities, especially schools. True North also supports several permanent, full-time jobs for ongoing operations at the facility.
Avangrid used Array Technologies trackers on the project.
“ARRAY Technologies is proud to support Avangrid in delivering reliable, renewable energy through the True North solar project,” said Kevin G. Hostetler, ARRAY’s chief executive officer. “Our domestically manufactured solar trackers are supporting American jobs and designed to optimize energy production, ensuring that projects like this can meet the growing demand for electricity. This milestone highlights the strength of American manufacturing and the critical role of innovative solar technology in powering the future.”
Avangrid worked with Black & Veatch to design and construct the True North solar project.
“We extend a heartfelt congratulations to our partner in Avangrid on the achievement of first commercial operation of True North Solar,” said Jim Doull, president, Power Providers for Black & Veatch. “Our teams endured many challenges during this project. Accomplishing such a monumental task takes grit, determination and strong cross-collaboration. Black & Veatch is proud to have been part of this project to help deliver reliable energy to power central Texas.”
News item from Avangrid
