CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned, electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has reached agreement with Consolidated Edison Development, Inc., a subsidiary of Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., for a 300 megawatt (MW) solar project to be located in Goliad County, Texas as the first part of its FlexPOWER BundleSM initiative. The selection marks one-third of the utility’s goal of adding up to 900 MW of clean, sustainable energy to its power generation mix, and will further strengthen San Antonio’s national top five Solar Superstar ranking.
Construction is scheduled to begin next year and is expected to add 250 – 300 temporary jobs with priority hiring from the San Antonio area. As part of the partnership agreement, Con Edison Development will contribute $500,000 over a 10-year period to support one of CPS Energy’s community priorities of supporting customers and education. Con Edison Development also will hire up to eight positions from Greater San Antonio and maintain $750,000 in annual spending with local suppliers and vendors through the life of the 25-year agreement. This will result in a $19 million local investment for Bexar and Goliad counties.
“This agreement is a significant step forward for the FlexPOWER Bundle initiative and our community’s clean energy strategy,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “The way we generate power determines our ability to ensure a sustainable environment. San Antonio is making great advances toward carbon neutrality and CPS Energy‘s continued leadership in renewable energy is making our progress possible.”
“Our vision for a cleaner energy future for San Antonio will be realized through innovative partnerships like this one with Consolidated Edison Development, Inc.,” said CPS Energy Interim President & CEO Rudy Garza. “CPS Energy is already a top solar purchaser in Texas, and while we continue to thoughtfully evaluate and identify even more options for our community, the FlexPOWER Bundle is proving to be an initiative that delivers real solutions.”
“We are proud to be working with the visionary leaders of San Antonio and CPS Energy in support of their sustainable energy goals,” said Mark Noyes, President and CEO of Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses. “In addition to delivering clean solar energy to San Antonio, the operation of the facility will deliver $750,000 in annual economic benefits to the Greater San Antonio area. We are also committing to $500,000 for community support and scholarships as we look forward to being part of the San Antonio community for many years to come.”