Origis Energy Completes 500-MW Solar Supporting Carbon Capture in West Texas

Oil and gas producer Occidental has delivered utility-scale solar energy projects to support its west Texas operations, including a nearby direct air carbon capture project in the drilling-dense Permian Basin.

Renewable developer Origis Energy was contracted by Occidental to deliver three Swift Air Solar facilities totaling 500 MW of direct-current capacity. This solar energy generation has been commissioned into commercial operation and will not support the customer’s STRATOS direct air capture facility.

Origis planned, developed and constructed the Swift Air Solar facilities in three phases, with the final phase delivered in late 2025. Collectively, these solar projects will represent more than $650 million in infrastructure investments in Ector County and West Texas.

"We are proud of our partnership with Occidental, an industry leader with unparalleled technical depth and a long track-record of innovation. Oxy's STRATOS facility is a leading example of infrastructure that America needs to secure its energy ambitions for the 21st century," said Vikas Anand, CEO  of Origis Energy, in a statement. "And the Swift Air 500-MWdc facilities are an example of Origis Energy's strengths of expertise, innovation and reliable execution."

STRATOS was built in Ector County and is designed to capture up to 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. It was developed by Occidental subsidiary 1PointFive as part of a joint venture with infrastructure investment giant BlackRock, which reportedly invested $550 million in the STRATOS venture.

"New power facilities are essential to unlock the full potential of the Permian Basin's resources," said Joe Lavoy, Vice President, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures. "Collaborating with Origis Energy to secure power from these new purpose-built solar facilities further positions us to help meet growing energy needs, while also serving to help advance large scale Direct Air Capture technology."

Direct air capture technologies use chemical and physical processes to extract CO2 from the ambient air.