Origis Energy completes Swift Air Solar complex in western Texas
Renewable energy and decarbonization platform Origis Energy Feb. 19 announced the final commissioning and operation of three Swift Air Solar facilities in western Texas.
Origis officials say their company planned and developed the facilities in three phases, delivering the final phase near the tail end of 2025. The 500-MWdc project will boost Origis partner Occidental’s operations throughout the Lone Star State, including its STRATOS Direct Air Capture decarbonization facility.
“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,” says Vikas Anand, CEO of Origis Energy. “And, the Swift Air 500 MWdc facilities are an example of Origis Energy’s strengths of expertise, innovation and reliable execution.”
On the financial side, the projects will represent more than $650 million in investments for infrastructure in the surrounding area. Swift Air Solar will provide revenue and investment for Ector County and the whole of West Texas, including cities like Odessa and Goldsmith.
“New power facilities are essential to unlock the full potential of the Permian Basin’s resources,” says Joe Lavoy, VP of 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.”
By the numbers
The facilities are expected to help Origis and Occidental avoid 250,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, officials say, along with powering about 49,000 homes across the area.
“The Swift Air Solar project highlights what can be achieved when capital, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology come together to drive meaningful impact,” said Tom Bitting, managing director at Advantage Capital, which provided $125 million in tax equity to the project. “Investing in transformative renewable energy projects like this aligns perfectly with our mission to drive capital to initiatives that foster economic growth and environmental impact.
“We are proud to support Origis Energy in delivering this innovative clean energy solution, which contributes to accelerating the clean energy transition.”
During peak construction, the project created 370 jobs in western Texas through construction service company Primoris Renewable Energy. A joint effort between multiple teams, PV modules were provided by San Jose-based Boviet Solar and inverters came from Sungrow. Finally, Array Technologies provided tracking capabilities for the systems, before the project came online courtesy of Origis.
