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The Orange Grove Solar project has officially gone live, marking a major milestone for Enbridge as it launches its first solar facility in Texas. Located in Jim Wells County, the 130-megawatt solar farm spans 920 acres and features 300,000 solar panels. This major clean energy initiative is backed by a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with AT&T, a strategic move that supports both energy sustainability and corporate climate goals.
Clean Energy to Power Texas Growth
Enbridge executives, along with local and federal officials, celebrated the project’s completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. According to Matthew Akman, Enbridge’s executive vice president of corporate strategy and president of the power business, this project is a key part of the company’s commitment to providing zero-emission electricity to support Texas’ economic growth and rising energy demand. Notably, the Orange Grove Solar project strengthens Enbridge’s energy infrastructure footprint, which already includes pipelines, export facilities, and wind operations across the Gulf Coast.
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Sequoia Solar Set to Follow with Bigger Impact
While Orange Grove is a significant achievement on its own, Enbridge is not stopping there. Southeast of Abilene in Callahan County, the company is currently building the Sequoia Solar project, a massive 815-megawatt facility, more than six times the size of Orange Grove. Once completed, Sequoia will rank among the largest solar installations in North America. These investments are aligned with the growing electricity demands within the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) market and demonstrate Enbridge’s long-term renewable energy strategy.
A Community-Powered Success
Enbridge officials were quick to acknowledge the collaborative spirit behind Orange Grove’s success. Maja Nisbet, manager of power projects at Enbridge, emphasized the vital role played by local residents, landowners, and government partners. “While we’re proud to see the project energize the grid, this milestone is a testament to the community that helped bring it to life,” she said. Indeed, the Orange Grove Solar project represents not only a clean energy breakthrough but also a shared commitment to a sustainable, resilient energy future for Texas.
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Project Overview – Orange Grove Solar Project
Developer/Owner: Enbridge Inc.
Location: Jim Wells County, Texas.
Capacity: 130 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generation.
Land Area: Spans approximately 920 acres.
Solar Array: Includes 300,000 solar panels.
Power Off-taker: AT&T – has signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for the full output.
Primary Contractor/Project Team: Enbridge Power Projects division led construction and coordination.
Timeline:
Construction Completed: 2024
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Held in 2024 to mark project completion.
Energy Market: Designed to support growing demand within the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) market.
Future Projects: Enbridge is concurrently developing the 815-MW Sequoia Solar project in Callahan County, Texas – over six times larger.
Sustainability Focus: Adds zero-emission electricity to Texas’ energy grid, aligning with Enbridge’s clean energy expansion goals.
Community Involvement: Project involved collaboration with local landowners, residents, and government officials.
