The Roadrunner Solar Project is a 497MW photovoltaic solar power plant developed by Enel Green Power North America in Texas, US. It is currently the largest operational solar energy facility in Texas, designed to enhance the state’s renewable energy generation capacity.
The project is owned and operated by Enel Green Power North America, a subsidiary of the global Enel Group. It aims to provide substantial environmental benefits, generate significant economic impact, and promote regional sustainability.
During its service life, the project is expected to generate approximately $60m in new tax revenues for Upton County.
Project Location Details
The Roadrunner Solar Project is a photovoltaic power facility located in Upton County, West Texas. It spans approximately 2,770 acres, situated about five miles northeast of the city of McCamey.
Roadrunner Solar Project Capacity and Infrastructure
The solar plant has a total installed capacity of 497MW generated through approximately 1.2 million bifacial solar panels. It covers an extensive area designed to generate around 1.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, sufficient to supply power to over 114,000 US households.
Development and Timeline
Construction of the Roadrunner Solar Project began in February 2019. The project was developed in two distinct phases: the first phase, delivering 252MW, became operational in December 2019, and the second phase, adding 245MW, commenced operation in September 2020.
Additionally, construction on a battery storage system of 57MW / 85.7MWh started in June 2021, with operations specifically scheduled to begin by June 2022.
Roadrunner Solar Project Financing Details
In October 2019, Enel Green Power signed a 12-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Mondelez International for 65MW of energy, which is transmitted directly to the electricity grid. This agreement aligns with Mondelez’s 2025 Impact Goals and is projected to reduce the company’s global manufacturing emissions by up to 5%.
Additionally, in November 2019, The Clorox Company entered into a 12-year, 70MW virtual PPA starting from 2021, covering 50% of the company’s renewable energy goals for its US and Canadian operations. Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services advised Clorox on the PPA.
Contractors and Suppliers
WTEC Energy provided essential components for the Roadrunner project, including solar steel and medium voltage cables.
At the peak of construction, approximately 500 people were employed, highlighting the project’s considerable local employment impact.
Technological Details
The project employs bifacial photovoltaic modules capable of capturing sunlight from both sides, significantly increasing energy production efficiency by utilising reflected sunlight from the ground. Additionally, a substantial battery storage component (57MW/85.7 MWh) has been integrated to enhance grid reliability and manage power delivery more effectively.
Environmental Impact
Operation of the Roadrunner Solar Project is expected to offset over 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Additional environmental initiatives include recycling over eight tons of construction waste and reusing approximately 275 tons of pallet wood as mulch, demonstrating comprehensive sustainability practices during the project’s construction phase.
Enel Green Power’s renewable energy projects in North America
The Roadrunner Solar Project aligns with Enel Green Power’s strategic objectives to expand renewable energy infrastructure across North America, complemented by ongoing renewable projects such as wind farms in Illinois, Texas, Missouri, North Dakota, and Alberta.
The company operates several wind farms, including the 66MW Whitney Hill and 185MW Hilltopper facilities located in Logan County, Illinois, and the 450MW High Lonesome wind farm in Texas. An additional 50MW expansion of the High Lonesome project came online in May 2020. The 236.5MW White Cloud wind project in Missouri began operations in December 2020.
Additionally, the company’s 299MW Aurora wind project in North Dakota is expected to begin operations in the coming months. In Canada, the company completed the construction of two wind projects – the 105MW Riverview and the 29.4MW Castle Rock Ridge II in Alberta – both of which are now supplying power to the grid.
