Enel Green Power launches High Lonesome wind farm in Texas

Enel Green Power North America began operations on its 450-megawatt High Lonesome wind farm in Texas.

Located in Upton and Crockett counties, High Lonesome is the largest operational wind project that Enel runs.

“The start of operations of Enel’s largest wind farm in the world marks a significant achievement for our company and reinforces our global commitment to accelerated renewable energy growth,” Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of Enel Green Power, said. “This milestone is matched with a new partnership with Danone North America to support their renewable goals, a reinforcement of our continued commitment to provide customers with tailored solutions to meet their sustainability goals.”

The company signed a 12-year, renewable energy power purchase agreement with food and beverage company Danone North America for delivery of 20.6 MWs of renewable electricity. This will lead to an additional 50 MW expansion of High Lonesome that will increase the plant’s total capacity to 500 MW. The construction of the expansion is currently underway with operations due to start in the first quarter of 2020. All totaled, the 500 MW plant will cost around $720 million to construct.

“This is an exciting and significant step as we continue to advance our 2030 renewable electricity goals,” Mariano Lozano, president and CEO of Danone North America, said. “As a public benefit corporation committed to balancing the needs of our business with those of society and the planet, we truly believe that this agreement makes sense from both a business and sustainability point of view. We’re delighted to be working with Enel Green Power to expand their High Lonesome wind farm and grow the renewable electricity infrastructure here in the US.”

The wind farm is expected to generate around 1.9 TWh annually. Further, it will avoid the emission of more than 1.2 million tons of CO2 per year.

Enel currently operates the 63 MW Snyder wind farm, located in Scurry County, Texas. The company is also building one of the largest solar plants in the state, the 497 MW Roadrunner solar farm.