150-MW Texas Solar Project Receives ERCOT Approval

Three W Solar near Hillsboro has reached substantial completion and received ERCOT approval to connect to the Texas grid, marking Mitsui's first U.S. utility-scale solar project.

Solar Project Clears Final Grid Requirement

The Three W Solar project near Hillsboro, Texas, has reached substantial completion and received approval from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to connect to the state power grid.

The utility-scale facility has a capacity of 150 MWdc, or 110 MWac, and could generate enough electricity to serve up to 45,000 homes. The project covers approximately 875 acres in Hill County.

The ERCOT approval represents the final requirement for the facility to connect to the Texas grid and allows the project to move forward with turnover to Mitsui's operations and maintenance organization.

Mitsui Enters U.S. Utility-Scale Solar

Three W Solar represents Mitsui & Co.'s first utility-scale solar project in the United States and adds renewable generation to the company's energy portfolio.

Black & Veatch served as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, delivering the solar facility and associated collector substation infrastructure.

Construction milestones included installation of the project's racking piles, delivery and installation of its generator step-up transformer, commissioning, and the approvals needed for commercial operation.

President of Fuels & Natural Resources for Black & Veatch, Narsingh Chaudhary: "Energy diversification is becoming increasingly important as organizations position themselves for future growth and evolving power needs."

Project Adds Generation to ERCOT

The project adds 110 MWac of solar generation capacity to the ERCOT system as Texas continues to expand its electricity-generation resources.

Mitsui said the project represents a commitment to addressing future energy demand in Texas, while Black & Veatch described the facility as part of the company's work delivering utility-scale renewable generation.