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From Enterprise Staff
Polk County is now home to the Umbriel Solar Facility, a contracted solar resource that will provide power to Entergy Texas’ customer base.
Texas is the fastest growing state in the nation, and with rapid growth comes an increased demand for electricity. As the demand for power grows in Southeast Texas, many homeowners and businesses are requesting cleaner energy options to help support their climate and environmental goals.
“Generating electricity from renewable resources plays an important role in building a cleaner energy future, and Entergy Texas is seeking ways to diversify its generation portfolio and support the growing energy needs within our communities,” Abigail Weaver, Entergy Texas director of resource planning and market operations, said. “By listening to our customers and understanding their sustainability needs, we are leading the way for adding more low-emission and carbon-free resources to the generation mix here in Southeast Texas.”
The Umbriel Solar facility is Entergy Texas’ first contracted solar resource that was selected through a renewables-focused request for proposals. The facility is owned and operated by Longroad Energy, a U.S.-based renewable energy developer. Located in Polk County, Umbriel Solar generates 150 MWac (202 MWdc) of electricity, which is enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes. The renewable energy generated helps avoid approximately 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. To put it more plainly – the addition of this new facility is equivalent to taking approximately 55,000 cars off the road each year that the facility is in operation.
Longroad finished construction of Umbriel Solar in November 2023, which is when Entergy Texas started receiving solar energy via its long-term power purchase agreement with the project.
“Longroad commends Entergy Texas on responding to the dual demands of generating more power and meeting customers’ desire for clean, renewable energy,” Adam Horwitz, vice president of origination and development operations for Longroad Energy, said. “We are proud that Longroad’s Umbriel Solar reached commercial operations, and has the distinction of being Entergy Texas’ first large-scale, solar energy resource.”
Entergy Texas customers can directly benefit from Umbriel Solar by enrolling in the company’s Green Future Option program. The voluntary program provides the benefits of solar generation without the burden of owning solar panels. Under the new program, customers have the option to subscribe to a specified amount of renewable power and receive Renewable Energy Credits and bill credits based on their subscription level.
While the bulk of Texas is served by ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), Polk County is served by MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator). Umbriel is Longroad’s sixth greenfield renewable energy project in Texas to reach financial close and its first project in Texas’ MISO footprint.
During operations, the project is projected to generate over $9 million for the Livingston Independent School District, and over $4 million in tax revenue to Polk County.
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