National Grid Renewables Breaks Ground on Blevins Solar Project in Texas
National Grid Renewables has announced the commencement of onsite construction for the Blevins Solar Project in Falls County, Texas. Once operational, this project will provide 270 megawatts (MW) of clean solar power and 180MW / 360MWh of battery energy storage.
“Blevins is our third solar project to break ground in the great state of Texas, and our second in Falls County,” said Joe Ibrahim, Vice President of Construction and Engineering at National Grid Renewables. “We are excited to continue working with community members to bring significant local economic development to the Lone Star State.”
The Blevins project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the local community, generating approximately $90 million in direct impact over its 20-year operational lifecycle. This includes an estimated $52 million in tax revenue for Falls County and local school and emergency districts. Two power purchase agreements (PPAs) were announced in late 2023 for the project. app will oversee the construction of the 2,300-acre project, sustaining 360 construction and service jobs. The project will utilize First Solar Series 6 Plus modules for the solar scope and Sungrow PT1 technology for the battery energy storage scope.
“We are grateful for our robust partnership with National Grid Renewables and the opportunity to build another significant and sustainable clean energy project in Texas,” said Eric Grenz, Senior Vice President at app. “We are committed to providing career opportunities for the local Falls County community, stimulating local businesses, and contributing to the area’s long-term economic vitality.”
“As an American company, First Solar is honored to supply cutting-edge Series 6 Plus modules to the Blevins Solar Project,” commented Darin Green, Senior Director at First Solar. “Partnering with National Grid Renewables on this 270-megawatt project exemplifies our commitment to powering the clean energy transition here at home, while creating significant local economic benefits and reducing carbon emissions for the community in Falls County.”
Beyond tax revenue and job creation, Blevins will contribute an expected $1.3 million to local charities and organizations over the first 20 years of operation through a dedicated charitable fund. These charitable funds are unique to National Grid Renewables and exemplify their commitment to being good neighbors within the communities where their projects are built.
Scheduled to begin commercial operation at the end of 2025, the Blevins project is projected to eliminate an estimated 437,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, equivalent to taking approximately 101,700 cars off the road each year.