CMS Energy purchases majority stake in 525 MW Texas wind farm

Michigan-based CMS Energy last week bought up a 51 percent majority share of Aviator Wind, a 525 MW wind farm in Texas, as a means of delivering energy to both Facebook and McDonalds.

CMS Energy has in turn offloaded Aviator Wind’s management to a subsidiary, CMS Enterprises, which is dedicated to developing, owning and operating utility-scale renewable energy facilities. With the acquisition of Aviator Wind, CMS Enterprises currently owns and operates 11 independent power plants, providing more than 1,800 MW throughout the country. The Texas facility itself should begin operating in the fall.

“Through Aviator Wind, we’re proud to continue the drive toward sustainable energy and help two of the nation’s largest organizations meet their aggressive renewables goals,” Richard Mukhtar, president of CMS Enterprises, said. “Facebook and McDonald’s join a growing roster of CMS Enterprises customers that have access to the full spectrum of energy products and services that we provide under one roof.”

Facebook was the largest corporate buyer of U.S. renewable energy in 2019. The company has established an aggressive goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent and to guarantee all of its operational support comes from renewable energy this year. McDonald’s also seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, though its goals are set for 2030.

“Through this project, we’re able to significantly generate progress toward our Climate Action Target to reduce emissions related to McDonald’s restaurants and offices by 36 percent by 2030,” Emma Cox, sustainability manager for McDonald’s, said. “Now more than ever we’re thrilled to see the positive impact this project will have on the community and planet.”

Until its purchase, Aviator Wind had been managed by Ares Management Corp.’s Infrastructure and Power strategy, which also built the facility. Kansai Electric Power remains a major partner on the project.