Iberdrola, through its subsidiary Avangrid, has started commercial operations at its True North Solar photovoltaic plant and has begun exporting energy to the grid from its Camino and Powell Creek solar farms in the United States. The company is taking another step forward in its strategy of investing in renewable technologies, facilitating the supply of reliable energy to the grid in the countries where it operates and helping them to advance toward energy independence, thereby improving their economies.
With more than 488,000 solar panels and 321 MW, True North Solar is capable of supplying nearly 60,000 US households, equivalent to a city the size of Badajoz, making it the company's largest photovoltaic project in the United States and positioning Texas as the leading state in renewable energy production. The project represents an investment of $369 million (more than €340 million at current exchange rates) and has created 300 jobs at peak construction, most of them filled by local residents.
Meanwhile, with 105,000 panels, Camino Solar, located in California, will begin commercial operation in late spring, providing access to clean energy for 14,000 homes, equivalent to a town like San Javier (Murcia). The park has involved an investment of $100 million (more than €90 million) and the creation of 100 jobs, almost all of them local.
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Download free sample pagesPowell Creek, located in Ohio, with 300,000 panels and 200 MW, is capable of supplying reliable, local energy to 30,000 homes, which is close to the population of Ciudad Real. This is the company's second project in the state, following the construction of Blue Creek in 2012, which with 304 MW now generates enough energy for around 76,000 homes per year.
To carry out these developments, Avangrid has relied on US companies during construction, contributing to the country's economic growth. In addition, Camino Solar has generated $15 million in state taxes (around €14 million), Powell Creek $31 million (more than €27 million) and True North Solar more than $40 million (more than €37 million), directly benefiting public services and surrounding communities, especially schools.
Specifically, True North Solar has helped purchase materials for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and learning, materials for teachers, buses for students, and updated sports facilities for schoolchildren and the rest of the community, helping to improve local well-being.
Texas, a leader in renewables in the United States
Avangrid has been operating in Texas for more than 15 years. With the addition of True North's production, the company now has seven projects and a combined installed capacity of nearly 1.6 GW. Together, thecompany's projects have brought a direct investment of $2 billion (more than €1.85 billion), 65 full-time jobs, and $118 million (about €110 million) in taxes to the southern US state since 2009, helping to improve public services for its residents.
Specifically, True North supplies electricity to the Texas grid and supports the operations of Meta, a company with which it has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). In addition, True North Solar will also supply energy to Meta's upcoming data center in the city of Temple, located in the same state.
According to a recent report by the US Department of Energy, data centers could increase the country's energy consumption by 12% by 2028, which is three times the level in 2024. Projects such as True North Solar are critical to supporting this growth in demand while ensuring that local communities have locally produced, clean, and reliable energy for their homes and businesses.
