Vesper Energy breaks ground on northern Texas’s Nazareth Solar
Fort Worth, Texas-based renewable energy developer Vesper Energy has broken ground on its new Nazareth Solar utility-scale solar project.
Located in the northern Texas town of Tulia, the 201 MW project is expected to be fully operational by late 2027, according to Vesper Energy officials. The project spans about 1,000 acres of private land, and is located adjacent to the company’s 600 MW Hornet Solar site, which came online last year as one of the largest single-phase solar projects in the U.S.
“Breaking ground on Nazareth Solar is another milestone for Vesper Energy,” says Juan Suarez, co-CEO of Vesper Energy. “We have a proven track record in this community, a team that knows how to deliver at this scale, and capital partners who have invested in us and in energy for Texas’ growing electricity demand. Nazareth Solar is the next step in that commitment.”
Hornet Solar’s first year of operation saw the delivery of more than $5 million in local tax revenue, Vesper Energy says, as well as 1.5 million MWh to the ERCOT grid. The success of the project led to a financing round worth $236 million for Vesper’s next project, which became Nazareth Solar.
Now, Nazareth aims to follow in its sister project’s footsteps, as it is expected to generate about $34 million in long-term tax revenue for Swisher County for schools, roads, and other county operations. Additionally, the project will generate enough electricity to power 53,000 Texan homes annually.
Building a stronger ERCOT
During construction, Nazareth Solar will create more than 200 jobs for contractors across northern Texas, Vesper Energy officials say. The project will provide stable income for participating landowners, but perhaps most crucially, the site will provide help to an ailing electrical grid in the Lone Star State.
Karl Smith, Vesper’s senior manager of project management, says the start of work on Nazareth serves as an opportunity for the firm to raise its standards for project safety and quality.
“Nazareth Solar adds 201 MW of electricity to the Texas grid, providing energy at the local and regional levels,” he adds. “Breaking ground at Nazareth reflects what Vesper Energy proved at Hornet Solar, and we’re thrilled to bring the same discipline and execution to this project from day one.”
The groundbreaking ceremony also included a $30,000 donation to the Tulia Fire Department, courtesy of Vesper Energy. The funding will go toward a new pickup truck for the crew, the department says, as Vesper and the Nazareth team look to stay active in the local community throughout the project’s construction and beyond.
“Nazareth Solar represents a significant investment in our community and our future,” says Ja’Nell Wafer, director of the Tulia Chamber of Commerce. “During construction, the project will create hundreds of jobs and generate economic activity that will benefit local businesses throughout the region.”
