Constellation to supply a host of corporate customers with 140 MW of Texas solar

Constellation has come to terms on an agreement to buy power and project-specific renewable energy certificates (RECs) equal to 140 MW from the 200 MW Big Star Solar Project, currently under development in Bastrop County, Texas, just outside of Austin.

The energy and RECs will be used to fill power agreements with PepsiCo, McCormick & Co., Best Buy and two Viacom-owned TV stations. Each customer signed an equivalent long-term agreement with Constellation to receive energy and RECs from the project as part of their retail electric supply contract.

The supply agreements were carried out through the Constellation Offsite Renewables (CORe) retail power product. The mechanism was developed to increase business’ access to renewable energy purchases, without forcing the businesses themselves to go through the PPA process. The supply agreements for each company have a 10-year term, obviously starting once Big Star begins to deliver power.

Big Star Solar is expected to reach commercial operation in the second quarter of 2022. RWE Renewables is building the project, which will also come partnered with an 80 MW/120 MWh hour battery energy storage system. Hardware specifics on the project have not yet been publicized, nor have any specifics about the manufacturer or battery chemistry.

Energy generated from the Big Star solar project will allow McCormick to fully power both its Dallas manufacturing plant and distribution center with renewable electricity. It also will represent significant steps towards the other three companies’ renewable energy and emission reduction objectives.

Both PepsiCo and Best Buy have made commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040;  Pepsi has an interim goal of achieving a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.