Project Development

Enel’s portfolio of renewable projects under construction tops 2 GW

Enel’s portfolio of renewable projects under construction tops 2 GW
(One of Enel's many wind farms. Credit Enel)

Today, global energy company Enel said that its US renewable subsidiary Enel Green Power North America, has started construction on five new renewable energy projects in the US with a total combined capacity of 1.5 GW. The projects are:

  • Roseland solar + storage,
  • Blue Jay solar + storage,
  • Ranchland wind + storage,
  • Alta Farms wind project, and
  • Rockhaven wind project.

In addition, Enel said it’s adding 57-MW battery storage systems to the High Lonesome wind farm and the Roadrunner solar farm both located in Texas. The new wind, solar and hybrid projects announced today represent over 1.5 GW of new capacity and 319 MW of battery storage capacity.

Projects in Texas

Enel has now started construction of the 639.6-MW Roseland solar will be paired with a 59 MW battery storage system + storage. The project, which is expected to be online in mid-2022, will be Enel’s largest in North America.

In Grimes County, Texas, the Blue Jay solar + storage project will pair a 270-MW solar plant with a 59-MW battery storage system. The project is expected to begin operations by the end of 2021. The Ranchland wind + storage project will be a 263-MW wind farm paired with an 87-MW battery system. Located in Callahan and Eastland counties, operations of the project are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.

Enel previously announced construction, which is currently underway, on three other renewables + storage hybrids in Texas including the Lily solar + storage, Azure Sky solar + storage and Azure Sky wind + storage projects. Additionally, the company plans to retrofit its 500 MW High Lonesome wind farm and 497 MW Roadrunner solar farm in West Texas with a 57 MW battery storage system at each plant, with construction expected to begin this summer. In total, Enel Green Power has six projects under construction in Texas representing 2 GW of new generating capacity and around 600 MW of battery storage. 

Projects in Illinois and Oklahoma

Enel is growing its portfolio in Illinois with the construction of the Alta Farms wind project in DeWitt County. The 200-MW plant is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2022. In Oklahoma, Enel has started construction on the 140-MW Rockhaven wind project in Garvin and Carter counties, adjacent to the Origin wind farm which the company has operated since 2015. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2021.

“The American transition to clean energy is unstoppable,” said Salvatore Bernabei, CEO of Enel Green Power and Head of Enel’s Global Power Generation business line. “With more than 2 GW now under construction in the United States, more than ever before, we are creating value with communities, partners, and our entire value chain, helping meet the ambitious clean energy targets of policymakers and businesses alike.”

Over their lifetime, the five new projects are expected to generate around 450 million US dollars in tax revenue for local communities and new income for project landowners. Construction of the projects will be responsible for over 1,500 construction jobs. With these projects, Enel Green Power North America currently has over 2.3 GW of renewable generation under construction and by mid-year will have 606 MW of battery storage capacity under construction.