JERA Americas, the Houston-based subsidiary of global energy leader JERA Co. (JERA), has acquired a 100% interest in the El Sauz Wind Power Project from Apex Clean Energy, the original developer. The approximately 300 megawatt (MW) project, located in Willacy County, Texas, is expected to begin construction in early 2022 and begin operating in the last quarter of the year.
We are extremely proud that our first investment in renewable energy in the US is right here in Texas where we have our American headquarters. We are looking to accelerate the transformation of our energy supply to more sustainable forms of energy and this project marks the beginning of what we plan to be a substantial and growing commitment to renewables in this state and across the country. We like the Texas market for the way it supports cleaner energy and we plan to be here for the long term.
Steven Winn, CEO of JERA Americas
The Project will consist of 67 Nordex Group wind turbines each capable of generating 4.5 MW of electricity, which at full output could power approximately 240,000 homes. Wanzek Construction, Inc. will serve as the balance of plant contractor for the project.
JERA plans to be a global leader in renewable energy and zero CO2 emission electricity and has announced a 5 gigawatt (GW) goal for renewable energy projects by 2025 and to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. JERA Americas established a renewable energy business in 2020 and plans to contribute approximately 2 GW toward achievement of the 5 GW global goal. The transaction marks the first renewable energy investment by JERA in the United States.
The El Sauz Wind development announcement comes after several other recent actions taken in pursuit of JERA’s goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This summer, JERA Americas announced hydrogen blending projects at two natural gas fired generation facilities in the northeastern US. In September, JERA Americas also took an ownership interest in Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, a company focused on providing safe hydrogen storage and transportation solutions to help spur the growth of hydrogen as a zero carbon fuel to reduce carbon emissions at fossil fuel plants.
About JERA Americas
A subsidiary of Tokyo-based JERA that produces about 30% of all electricity in Japan, JERA Americas is supporting an energy transition in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. JERA, which stands for Japanese Energy for a New Era, has been working to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050 and is contributing to the development of a sustainable society.
About Apex Clean Energy
Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 300 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers.