Construction at Powell Creek and True North continues to progress
Avangrid has several projects currently under construction, including the Powell Creek solar project in Ohio and the True North solar project in Texas. We recently installed the first solar panels at the Powell Creek project. In Texas, we have begun to commission our True North project.
Powell Creek
Avangrid recently installed the “Golden Row” at its Powell Creek solar project in Putnam County, Ohio near Miller City. The Golden Row represents the first row of solar plans for which the rest of construction will be modeled after. With the Golden Row in place, Avangrid has continued work on site and installed more than 1,000 panels as of the start of July.
“I am excited to see that construction at our Powell Creek solar project is off to a great start. This is a milestone worth celebrating because it will set the tone for the rest of our construction,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Powell Creek is another great example of Avangrid executing on its plan to grow renewable energy generation, help the country meet ambitious clean energy goals, and accelerate the clean energy transition.”
Powell Creek sits on land leased directly from landowners. It will ultimately have about 300,000 solar panels generating enough energy to power at least 30,000 homes each year. The project is supporting up to 400 jobs during construction, most of which are being filled by people who live in the region.
Avangrid expects the Powell Creek project will directly support the community through property tax and landowner payments. The nearby town of Miller City has also annexed the project area, enabling it to capture revenues that will support the construction of a new sewer line. Crucially, this will enable Miller City to begin to grow by adding new homes and development. Growth has historically been limited because village homes, businesses and school are currently on individual septic systems.
“We’ve been trying to do this for a long time,” said Miller City Mayor Jim Erford. “With Powell Creek, we are projected to expand our tax base by ten times and grow our town for the first time in many years. We are thrilled to bring new development, new families, and a new energy into the community we love so much.”
Construction at Powell Creek began earlier this year. It is expected to be completed by the middle of 2025. This is Avangrid’s second renewable energy project in Ohio. Avangrid built the Blue Creek wind farm in 2012, which has a capacity of 304 MW and generates enough power for about 76,000 homes each year.
True North
Avangrid has begun to produce power from the True North solar project in Falls County, Texas, near Waco. With 20 MW commissioned thus far, this marks another major milestone for what will become the largest solar power project in Avangrid’s portfolio, and its first solar project in Texas.
“This is great news, not just for the on-time construction of True North, but for the state of Texas at large. Thanks to the diligent work of our team and our contractors, we are able to supply additional energy to the Texas electrical grid as we move into the summer months,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “I am happy to see this project moving forward as Avangrid continues on its mission to accelerate the clean energy transition across America.”
True North will be a 238 MWac (321 MWdc) solar farm. Once the project is built, it will supply clean, renewable energy in support of Meta’s net zero commitment, including supporting its upcoming data center in neighboring Temple, its second data center facility in Texas, with 100 percent renewable energy. Ahead of commercial operations, expected at the end of 2024, the project will supply power to customers on the Texas grid.
