Renewable energy developer X-ELIO has broken ground on its Liberty 1 Solar Plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Liberty and Harris Counties, Texas. The solar plant will generate 137GWh of clean energy per year, enough to power over 12,000 homes, and will create more than 125 construction jobs. The BESS project, co-located with the solar plant, will be X-ELIO's largest industrial battery project to date and its first in the US. The Liberty 1 Solar Plant is expected to be operational by early 2024.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by X-ELIO's US Country Manager, Kerri Neary; Harris County Director of Sustainability, Lisa Lin; Senior Vice President and Site Manager for the Freeport BASF site, Brad Morrison; and local community representatives. X-ELIO will invest a total of $136.7 million in the combined projects.
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In addition to the Liberty 1 Solar Plant and BESS Project, X-ELIO also announced three local community plan program initiatives. The company will provide funding to The dWelling, a local wellness and community-building organization, The Liberty River Trade Food Bank, and a marketing and content project with Meals on Wheels. X-ELIO also announced ongoing conversations and initiatives with three other associations in the Harris County Area, which are expected to be celebrated shortly.
“We are delighted to be here today with BASF and other local stakeholders as we break ground on the Liberty 1 Solar and BESS project,” said Kerri Neary. “It is a major step forward for our business strategy and an important milestone for the energy mix in Texas.”
BASF, the world's leading chemical company, has signed a 12-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with X-ELIO to purchase 48MW of solar power from the Liberty 1 Solar Plant. This will enable BASF's Verbund plant in Freeport, Texas, to be powered entirely by renewable energy.
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“We are excited to partner with X-ELIO on our journey towards net-zero emissions,” said Brad Morrison. “With this agreement in place, 100% of Verbund's expected purchased power will be supplied by renewable energy.”
The Liberty 1 Solar Plant and BESS Project demonstrate X-ELIO's commitment to sustainable energy production and its efforts to partner with local communities to create positive change.
