Texas is set to add another significant new renewable project to its rapidly expanding power mix: Cold Creek Solar+Storage will span Schleicher and Tom Green counties, supplying 430 megawatts of solar backed by a 340-megawatt-hour battery system, feeding directly into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid.
Bechtel is handling construction and engineering for project developer Doral Renewables. Work has started, with commercial operation targeted for 2028. Over 850,000 solar modules will be installed, while energy stored during the day will be dispatched during evening demand peaks.
At peak activity, construction will employ roughly 500 people, part of a broader solar buildout trend that is transforming rural parts of the state. Texas added more than 6 gigawatts of new solar capacity in 2024 and now trails only California in total installed solar generation.
Hybrid solar-plus-storage facilities
Cold Creek continues to build out large hybrid solar-plus-storage facilities across the state, aimed at reinforcing grid reliability in weather extremes and a growing population. Analysts say such projects are becoming increasingly important to balance renewable output with the need for steady power supplies as industrial demand increases across the state.
The Projects also highlight Texas’s expanding role in America’s clean-energy transition. The state is not only scaling renewable generation but also channeling that power into digital infrastructure. In October, energy-tech firm Lancium secured a $600 million debt financing package to accelerate work on its 1.2-gigawatt Clean Campus in Abilene, a renewable-powered site supporting the Stargate data initiative. Lancium Clean Campus Abilene will operate on renewable energy from the Texas ERCOT grid, primarily wind and solar sources.
Once complete, Cold Creek will add to ERCOT’s growing portfolio of renewable assets and contribute to the diversification of Texas’ energy base, which, while still dominated by natural gas, rapidly integrates both solar and wind resources.
Cold Creek Solar+Storage Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Schleicher and Tom Green Counties, Texas
Developer: Doral Renewables
EPC Contractor: Bechtel
Commercial Operation Date: 2028 (Target)
Grid Connection: ERCOT
Technical Specifications
Solar Capacity: 430 MW
Battery Storage: 340 MWh
Solar Modules: 850,000+ units
Configuration: Hybrid solar-plus-storage facility
Operational Strategy
Energy will be stored during daytime generation and dispatched during evening peak demand periods, enhancing grid reliability while balancing renewable output.
Employment & Construction
Peak Construction Workforce: 500 personnel
Status: Under construction
Regional Context
Texas added more than 6 GW of solar capacity in 2024. State ranks second nationally in total installed solar (behind California) Project Supports ERCOT Grid Reliability amidst Extreme Weather Events and a Growing Population Part of broader energy diversification strategy in natural gas-dominated market
Strategic Significance
Cold Creek represents continued investments by Texas in hybrid renewable facilities that can help meet surges in industrial demand without sacrificing grid stability through integrated storage solutions.
