Canadian renewable energy firm Westbridge Renewable Energy has completed its full interconnection studies for the Accalia Point Solar project in Cameron County in Texas, U.S.
The company says it is currently negotiating an interconnection agreement with Texas-based electric transmission utility Sharyland Utilities to move the 221-MW project towards its construction phase.
The company notes that the Accalia Point project marks its initial foray into the solar photovoltaic market in the U.S. The project is expected to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2025.
“The timely completion of the Accalia Point Solar project’s interconnection and environmental studies represents a significant step forward in de-risking and advancing our first U.S. project toward commercialization,” said Stefano Romanin, CEO and Director of Westbridge Renewable.
The Accalia Point project includes long-term solar leases covering about 1,120 acres of primarily cultivated farmland with an installed capacity of 221 MWp.
According to Westbridge, the interconnection studies will help identify the approach and expenses associated with linking the project to the local transmission owner’s electric grid. Moreover, the completed engineering fieldwork and environmental field studies will be integrated into the project’s final design to align with state and county regulations.
“The Inflation Reduction Act with its tax credits towards clean energy projects, makes us optimistic about the prospects in the region,” Romanin added. “We remain committed to identifying potential opportunities in the U.S., and to growing our U.S. portfolio as we continue to establish ourselves as a prominent North American player in renewable energy project origination and development.”
The Energy Transition Bottleneck: Berkeley Lab report shows Interconnection Queue is S-s-slow
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A recent study released by the federal Lawrence Berkeley National Lab indicates that an interconnection bottleneck has developed due to a growth in renewable projects but also delays in working them through the grid system approval process.
