WEC Energy Group to acquire 80 percent ownership of 250 MW Texas solar center
The Samson I Solar Energy Center, northeast of Dallas, Texas, will soon gain a new majority owner with the acquisition of an 80 percent interest in the 250 MW project by WEC Energy Group.
This approximately $250 million investment will be the second solar investment from WEC’s infrastructure segment, although it also has plans to invest in or already owns eight wind farms. Combined, these renewal projects will give the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based WEC nearly 2 GW of capacity.
“The Samson Solar project is an exciting addition to our Infrastructure business and highlights our continued investment in affordable, reliable, and clean energy. This project will help one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies meet their clean energy needs for years to come,” Gale Klappa, executive chairman of WEC, said.
Originally, Samson I was developed and built by Invenergy. Commercial operations began in May 2022, with AT&T lined up as its major benefactor from a long-term power purchase agreement. As the name implies, however, Samson I is likely to be just one piece of a much larger whole – Invenergy planned five phases in all, spread across 18,000 acres of northeast Texas. When completed, the multi-part solar project should total 1,300 MW of capacity.
