It looks like San Antonio has taken some major steps toward clean energy. It is now the first city in Texas to host a large local solar farm. In fact, it has been called “one of the largest solar deals ever in the United States.” CPS Energy is seeking to sign a 25-year agreement with OCI Solar Power to build multiple solar plants in the area that would generate up to 400MW of energy in the next five years. This is enough to serve approximately 80,000 homes.
City officials have been looking to attract a solar manufacturer in order to create a solar energy and development hub within San Antonio. The partnership aims to boost emission-free power to meet their 2020 goal of getting 20 percent of its power from renewable energy. The investment is steep with a potential $100 million in capital investment, but it creates 800 new jobs for the area. No one can doubt – this is refreshing news.
“San Antonio has reached a sweet spot at the intersection of job creation and environmental stewardship,” said Julian Castro, City of San Antonio Mayor. “A lot of folks out there wonder whether these two things are mutually exclusive. This is about doing both.”
Additionally, the new development seems to have raised the bar for San Antonio’s neighbor to the north, Austin, and its own utilities. News stories are quick to point out the future-thinking motivation of San Antonio’s poker hand and asking Austin what it has planned.
Sources:
- MySA: CPS names two firms in mega-solar project
- CPS Energy: Solar — Capturing South Texas Sun for San Antonio Power
- Austin American Statesman: San Antonio takes key solar step; will Austin follow suit?
- Rueters: CPS Energy to partner with OCI Solar Power
- ABC Local: San Antonio strikes deal with OCI Solar Power
Tags: CPS Energy, OCI Power, renewable energy, San Antonio, solar plant, solar power
