Enbridge Launches First Solar Farm in Texas Amid Expansion into Renewable Energy

Oil and Gas Pipeline Firm Builds First Texas Solar Farm
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Enbridge, a company traditionally known for its oil and gas pipeline operations, has made a significant move into renewable energy by inaugurating its first solar farm in Texas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange Grove Solar project took place on June 4 in Jim Wells County, where the facility is now contributing clean energy to the Texas grid. In addition, Enbridge has secured a long-term virtual power purchase agreement with telecom giant AT&T for the output generated by this solar project.

“Enbridge is proud to operate a wide range of critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf Coast area including liquid pipelines and export facilities, natural gas pipelines and storage, as well as wind and now solar power,” said Matthew Akman, Enbridge’s Executive VP of Corporate Strategy and President of the company’s power business.

The Orange Grove Solar project features approximately 300,000 solar panels spread across 920 acres in Jim Wells County, with a maximum capacity of 130 MW of electricity available for the local grid. Furthermore, Enbridge is also developing a larger solar facility, the 815 MW Sequoia Solar project, located southeast of Abilene in Callahan County, Texas, which will be more than six times the size of Orange Grove. Overall, Enbridge has invested in 13 solar projects across the United States and Canada, amassing a total capacity of 1,356 MW.

### Avangrid Launches Powell Creek Solar Project in Ohio

Avangrid Inc. has initiated commercial operations at its Powell Creek Solar project in Putnam County, Ohio. With a capacity of 202 MWdc (150 MWac), this facility is now capable of powering around 30,000 homes annually. Pedro Azagra, Avangrid’s CEO, emphasized the importance of this project for meeting the growing energy demands of the local community.

The Powell Creek project is Avangrid’s second energy facility in Ohio, following the 304 MW Blue Creek project established in 2012. The company now boasts over 500 MW of solar capacity in the state. Located near the town of Miller City in Northwest Ohio, Powell Creek employs over 300,000 solar panels and created around 500 jobs during construction, primarily filled by local union workers. It is projected that this project will contribute approximately $31 million to local tax jurisdictions over its operational lifetime and generate about $1.1 million in annual lease payments.

In a noteworthy collaboration, Miller City will utilize revenue from the solar project to finance a new sewer line aimed at fostering new home and business development.

### BLUETTI Partners with Footprint Project to Assist Storm-Affected Communities

In a bid to support communities impacted by hurricanes and storms, BLUETTI has established a strategic partnership with the non-profit organization Footprint Project. As part of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment, BLUETTI is donating over $50,000 worth of clean energy products, including the EP500 Pro, Elite 200 V2, AC200L, AC180P, and 350W solar panels, to aid disaster-affected regions.

The Footprint Project will test BLUETTI’s home battery backups and solar generators to ensure effective and timely responses in disaster relief efforts. James Ray, a brand representative at BLUETTI, remarked, “Storms remind us of our shared need for power, a core value at BLUETTI. Our partnership with Footprint Project in delivering clean energy aid is a natural fit.”

### NextEra Energy Launches Amite Solar Energy Center in Louisiana

NextEra Energy Resources LLC and DEMCO have energized the Amite Solar Energy Center, marking NextEra’s first utility-scale energy facility in Louisiana. This center will provide reliable energy to local communities, with an expected generation of approximately $16 million in additional tax revenue for Tangipahoa Parish over the next 30 years.

This solar energy center, which has a capacity of 100 MW, became operational in March 2025 and contributes reliable electricity to Louisiana’s power grid. “This is a monumental moment for our team, and we are proud to work with DEMCO to bring low-cost solar energy to their co-op members,” stated Stuart McCurdy, VP of Development at NextEra Energy Resources. The construction of the facility lasted 15 months, generating 200 construction jobs and boosting the local economy.

### FirstEnergy Subsidiaries Complete 36-Acre Solar Project in West Virginia

Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., have finished their third utility-scale solar site in West Virginia. The Marlowe site in Berkeley County now features over 17,000 solar panels, generating up to 5.75 MW of renewable power. This facility is located on 36 acres of land previously used as an ash landfill by the former R. Paul Smith Power Station.

The construction involved 54 local union workers, and the solar panels, racking system steel, and supporting electrical equipment were all manufactured in the United States. Dan Rossero, VP of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia Generation, noted, “Our solar projects create construction jobs, support U.S. manufacturing, and help us accommodate increased demand for electricity.”

Mon Power and Potomac Edison plan to develop a total of five solar projects with a combined capacity of 50 MW, further expanding their renewable energy footprint in the region.

In summary, these developments illustrate a growing trend in the energy sector towards renewable sources, significantly impacting local economies and supporting community development while addressing the increasing demand for clean energy solutions.