Tesla signs two massive PPAs in American Southwest | Projects Weekly
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This week on Projects Weekly, Tesla has agreed to one of the largest power purchase agreements in history with British firm ContourGlobal, and inked its second collaborative deal with Zelestra. Elsewhere in the transaction world, Adapture Renewables and REC Power have struck a deal for a 68 MW portfolio comprised of a whopping 15 solar and storage projects. In central Ohio, Eolian and construction crews have broken ground on the Flint Grid Project to bolster Buckeye State data centers. On the east coast, Nautilus Solar and TurningPoint Energy have energized the second of a planned six community solar sites in Delaware. Finally in Texas, Origis has reached commercial operation on three additional phases of the massive Rockhound Solar complex. Keep reading for all the details!
Adapture Renewables, REC Power complete transaction for 68 MW solar portfolio
Utility-scale solar developer Adapture Renewables has wrapped up its transaction with power producer REC Power, selling a 68 MW solar portfolio made up of 15 projects to REC.
The sale “allows Adapture to concentrate its capital” on utility-scale projects which sit at the center of its growth strategy, the company says. The portfolio contains assets across seven different states, including California, the current leader in American solar.
“This transaction reflects the disciplined way we manage our portfolio. These are well-established performing assets, and REC Power is a strong long-term owner and operator for them,” says Christina Conrad, VP of M&A for Adapture Renewables. “The sale allows us to focus our resources on the larger utility-scale projects that define our pipeline and where we can deliver the greatest impact.”
Bright spot: The acquisition expands REC Power’s national operating portfolio to more than 410 MW worth of solar and storage across 25 states. The company sports 30 years of development, owning, and operating experience and officials say it continues to pursue “strategic front-of-the-meter acquisitions” to complement its growing portfolio.
“Adapture has built a portfolio of high-quality operating projects, and these assets complement our existing fleet well in terms of geography, counterparties and long-term value,” says Matt Miller, chief investment officer of REC Power. “This transaction demonstrates our ability to be a trusted partner to asset owners looking to divest high-quality assets as their business strategies evolve.”
Tesla and Zelestra agree to long-term solar PPA in Texas
Global renewable energy firm Zelestra and EV manufacturer Tesla have expanded energy engagements with a 140 MWac power purchase agreement (PPA) for Texas’s Lumen Farm solar project.
Zelestra anticipates that construction will start at Lumen Farm in 2027, and commercial operation is expected by 2029. Located in Anderson County, Texas, the PPA covers the project’s entire energy output.
“As a trusted global partner, we can deliver bespoke solutions for clients in multiple geographies. As such, we are excited to expand our relationship with Tesla to the U.S.,” says Phil North, Zelestra’s US CEO. “We aim to deliver the project and bring the new solar plant online as quickly as possible to support Tesla’s growing energy needs in Texas.”
Bright spot: Zelestra is advancing its position in the American energy landscape, the company says, using this deal and other innovative energy solutions. The company adds that it plans to position itself to meet the “evolving needs of hyperscalers” and other corporate partners and customers.
Zelestra also signed a 57 MWac PPA with Tesla in 2024, the company says, with this marking the two firms’ second collaboration. The first agreement covered the output of the Brazatortas I, II and IV solar plants in Spain. Zelestra currently has a portfolio of more than 16 GW of renewable energy projects across several markets.
TESLA, ContourGlobal sign long-term agreement covering 1 TWh per year
British power generation company ContourGlobal has also announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tesla for Project Sterling, a hybrid solar and battery project located in Arizona.
The company says the project will deliver 1 TWh of renewable energy to Tesla for every year of its lifespan. This marks the largest corporate PPA ever signed for a single plant in the history of the U.S. energy sector, according to ContourGlobal officials.
ContourGlobal CEO Antonio Cammisecra says the milestone is a “remarkable achievement,” leading a company-wide effort to strike a major PPA deal.
“After starting operations of our first renewable plant in the U.S. in 2025, we are now moving ahead with the construction of our largest renewable project globally, located in one of the country’s most dynamic energy markets,” he says. “Securing our biggest PPA ever – and one of the largest of its kind in U.S. renewable history – with an iconic customer like Tesla, a true symbol of the global energy transition, is a testament of our ability to deliver tailor-made solutions to our customer’s energy needs.”
Bright spot: Project Sterling combines 450 MWac of solar and 1.4 GWh of battery storage capacity, making it the largest project in ContourGlobal’s entire portfolio. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for later this year, with a targeted operation date of 2028.
Once operational, the Arizonan project will have transmission rights to California’s CAISO grid, allowing it to serve Tesla’s power needs.
Eolian announces groundbreaking of gigawatt-scale Flint Grid BESS project
Renewable energy and storage investor Eolian has announced the start of construction on the Flint Grid battery storage project in central Ohio.
Located in Jersey Township, just 25 miles northeast of downtown Columbus, the project is the first of its kind and size in the PJM capacity market, the company says. Eolian adds that the Flint Grid Project is the first to clear the 2027/28 Residual Capacity Auction, representing more than 50% of all new battery storage capacity for the year.
“There’s growing consternation about how the US can rapidly scale infrastructure to support America’s growing electricity demand, but not nearly enough conversation about how to use existing technology to unlock the wasted capacity that already exists on the grid” says Eolian founder and CEO Aaron Zubaty. “Flint Grid demonstrates how companies like Eolian have been investing in solutions to unlock the grid and reduce price pressures on consumers using proven and scalable technology.”
Bright spot: The 200 MW / 1.06 GWh battery project demonstrates a long-term investment by Eolian in the anticipated growing electricity demand of the Buckeye State. The company plans to unlock the grid using flexible resources near Columbus, as the region becomes a major player in AI data center development.
“This project requires hundreds of millions of dollars to construct, and we committed the necessary capital and resources years before today’s demand forecasts became headline news,” Zubaty adds. “As policymakers consider changes to competitive electricity markets, it’s critical that they avoid undermining the long-term investments already underway that will make better use of existing transmission infrastructure and that create a bridge to further long-term supply expansion.”
The Flint Grid Project is expected to enter commercial operation prior to the 2027-2028 PJM capacity year, Eolian says.
Origis Energy’s Rockhound complex reaches operational milestone
Renewable energy platform Origis Energy has energized three additional phases of its Rockhound Solar complex, located in western Texas.
The newly completed phases represent about 500 MWdc of solar capacity, the company says, bringing Rockhound’s total operating capacity to nearly 1 GWdc across the entire complex. The firm’s staff says this energization marks a major milestone in their buildout of one of the U.S.’s most ambitious renewable energy projects.
“This milestone underscores Origis Energy’s ability to consistently execute at scale,” says Origis CEO Vikas Anand. “Reaching nearly 1 GW of operating capacity in Ector County, Texas demonstrates the strength of our platform, the depth of customer demand, and our ability to deliver complex, multi-phase infrastructure projects with safety, quality, speed and certainty.”
Bright spot: The project’s next phase represents about 1 GW of additional solar and storage capacity, the firm says, and is currently being marketed for data center co-location. Additionally, the company says long-term corporate offtake structures will be available, reflected “continued demand” for scalable energy solutions.
Beyond the significance of the project, the complex will contribute to grid reliability for western Texas and ERCOT at large.
Nautilus Solar, TurningPoint Energy energize second of six Delaware solar sites
Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy have cut the ribbon on a 4 MWac community solar project in Dover, Delaware, marking the second of six planned projects to come online in the First State.
The project spans 32 acres and sports about 11,700 solar panels, officials say. The site will deliver solar energy to the Delmarva Power grid, with a dedicated portion of that serving the state’s lower-income households. In total, the project will generate 10 GWh of renewable energy every year, the equivalent to removing 1,400 traditional gas-powered cars off the road.
“The Dover project reflects the strength of what Nautilus and TPE have built together in Delaware – a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to expanding access to clean, affordable energy,” says Eric Paul, senior VP of origination at Nautilus. “At a time when rising energy costs are putting real pressure on households, community solar offers predictable, locally generated power that starts delivering savings more quickly than nearly any other alternative.”
Bright spot: As utility bill prices continue to spike around the U.S., this portfolio of six projects is expected to deliver nearly $35 million in savings for Delawareans and their businesses once operational. The two companies have donated a combined $240,000 to local nonprofits in communities across the state.
“It’s imperative that Delaware embraces renewable energy – like solar technology – to support our regional grid and lower costs for Delawareans throughout our State,” says Delaware State Sen. Stephanie Hansen. “This community solar project, right in the heart of our State, will boost Delaware’s generation capacity, deliver clean energy to the PJM grid, and help so many of our neighbors save on their energy bills at a time when Delawareans are being squeezed by rising costs.”
