bp Initiates Construction of 187MW Peacock Solar Project in Texas

bp (NYSE: BP) has officially commenced construction on its 187MWdc Peacock Solar project. Nestled just 10 miles north of Corpus Christi in San Patricio County, Texas, this initiative promises to bolster the region's renewable energy capacity while contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

Dave Lawler, chairman and president of bp America, commented, "Securing this agreement and kicking off construction of Peacock helps support the transition to lower carbon energy, while benefiting local communities and the economy. It's another way bp is accelerating growth of our US solar generation capacity, investing in America, and advancing our transformation to an integrated energy company."

Peacock Solar is set to distribute all its generated electricity through a long-term power purchase agreement with Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV), a strategic collaboration between industry giants ExxonMobil and SABIC. GCGV specializes in producing materials vital to various sectors, including textiles, food packaging, agriculture, and construction.

Located in proximity to the GCGV complex, Peacock Solar will directly power the facility, generating enough renewable energy each year to supply approximately 34,000 homes with clean electricity.

This groundbreaking project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs during its construction phase, injecting over $25 million in tax revenue into the local economy within the first quarter-century of its operational life.

"Once online, the solar-generated electricity will be used to partially power our plant and help reduce emissions in support of a net-zero future," said Paul Fritsch, president at GCGV.

Leading global solar player Lightsource bp, bp's 50:50 joint-venture partner, is spearheading the development and construction of the Peacock Solar project.

The main engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project, PCL Construction, will deploy ultra-low carbon solar panels from US-based manufacturer First Solar and trackers from GameChange Solar.

 The project will incorporate various agricultural and biodiversity initiatives, including native plant species cultivation, habitat enhancement and agrivoltaics practices like sheep grazing.

This project falls in line with bp's broader renewables & power transition growth engine, aiming to invest in and develop 50 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030.