A UK-based unbiased energy producer (IPP) has acquired solar energy initiatives in Virginia and Colorado, each secured with utility energy buy agreements. ContourGlobal, headquartered in London, on Jan. 21 introduced the acquisition of the 2 photo voltaic farms, one nearing industrial operation and the opposite nonetheless underneath building.
ContourGlobal acquired the initiatives from Qcells, a South Korean firm with its U.S. headquarters in California and manufacturing services within the U.S., Malaysia, and South Korea. The 2 photo voltaic arrays within the deal collectively have 446 MW of technology capability. Every set up options photo voltaic modules made at Qcells’ factories in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia. Qcells is accountable for building of each services.
The transaction expands ContourGlobal’s deliberate photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) and battery power storage system (BESS) capability within the U.S. to virtually 1.5 GW. That determine contains greater than 1 GW of just lately acquired initiatives in late improvement stage positioned in South Carolina and Arizona.
“This transaction permits us to take care of momentum in our U.S. renewable development, nearing 1.2 GW of photo voltaic PV capability complemented with further 0.3 GW of BESS capability, in building or late improvement,” stated Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of ContourGlobal. “It additionally meaningfully accelerates the beginning of our industrial operations to the primary half of this yr. We’re happy with this milestone and delighted that our partnership with Qcells will even allow us to combine their U.S.-produced photo voltaic expertise into these acquired initiatives.”
The Colorado photo voltaic farm is a 324-MW facility underneath building. The Virginia undertaking, a deliberate 122-MW set up, is predicted to start building in 2026.
IP Kim, president of Qcells’ international power group, stated, “We’re proud to help ContourGlobal’s U.S. growth. This transaction showcases Qcells’ differentiated capabilities as a ‘complete power options supplier’ to convey initiatives from improvement into operations. We’re excited to discover different alternatives the place Qcells’ full suite of capabilities can ship worth to companions like ContourGlobal.”
The Colorado undertaking, positioned in Fort Collins within the northern a part of the state, will present electrical energy to Platte River Energy Authority, a community-owned public energy technology and transmission group. It has a 22-year PPA and contains two phases; the primary is a 185-MW plant slated to enter industrial operation by mid-year. The second part will add 139 MW of capability within the subsequent yr.
The Virginia undertaking is predicted to start industrial operation in 2027. It has a 20-year PPA and can present energy to what was known as “an funding grade investor-owned utility” within the PJM territory.
Qcells’ since 2019 has constructed 5.1 GW of solar energy manufacturing capability within the U.S., with plans so as to add one other 3.3 GW.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
