Orsted's 518 Megawatt Helena Energy Center in Texas is powering homes for approximately 110,000 residents.
In the heart of Bee County, Texas, the Helena Energy Center, a groundbreaking mixed wind and solar farm, is now supplying green electricity to 110,000 homes and businesses annually. The project, developed by the Danish energy company Ørsted, is a significant step forward in the state's renewable energy ambitions.
The Helena Energy Center, spanning over 18,000 acres, consists of the Helena Wind Farm (268 MW) and the Sparta Solar Farm (250 MW), with 66 wind turbines and over 600,000 solar PV panels. This makes it Ørsted's third project to reach commercial operation in the United States and their first co-located wind and solar project.
During construction, approximately 500 jobs were created, and additional roles will be required for operation and maintenance over the next several decades. The project is expected to bring substantial financial benefits to Bee County, with property tax revenues, school support, and rural area funding being key components. County Commissioner Dennis DeWitt has expressed optimism about these potential benefits.
Texas Senator Morgan Lamantia, who represents Bee County, has expressed support for the project, citing its contribution to clean power and local benefits. The Helena Energy Center has increased the country's solar generation capacity to 647MW and, upon reaching full operations, brings Ørsted's global operating onshore portfolio to 4.8 GW.
Texas is expected to add 50.5GW of new capacity over the next five years, the most in the US. Another solar and wind power project is planned near Port Arthur, featuring a floating solar farm combined with a wind farm. The energy center's success underscores Texas's commitment to renewable energy and its potential to lead the nation in this area.
Multiple contracts have been secured for the energy produced by the Helena Energy Center, ensuring a stable market. The 40 MW storage power plant at the 410 MW Permian Energy Center in Texas, also constructed by Ørsted, further enhances the project's reliability. The Helena Energy Center's construction was partially funded through a US$680 million tax equity financing with investment bank JP Morgan.
Senator's comments draw attention to growing concerns over grid availability for new solar projects in a number of markets, including Texas. However, the Helena Energy Center's success suggests that with the right infrastructure and financial backing, renewable energy projects can thrive in the Lone Star State.
In the first quarter of this year, Texas has recorded 32.1 GW from large-scale power, demonstrating the state's potential in the renewable energy sector. The Helena Energy Center, along with other renewable energy projects, is a testament to Texas's commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The Helena Energy Center's 40 participating landowners are expected to receive a combined $4 million annually in landowner payments, further emphasising the project's positive impact on the local community. With the Helena Energy Center leading the way, Texas is set to continue its dominance in the renewable energy sector, driving the nation towards a greener future.
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