Southern Power Unveils Expansion Plans for Millers Branch Solar Facility in Texas - SolarQuarter

Southern Power Unveils Expansion Plans for Millers Branch Solar Facility in Texas - SolarQuarter

Southern Power, a prominent U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, has unveiled plans for the expansion of its Millers Branch Solar Facility with the addition of a Phase II segment, boasting an extra 180-megawatts (MW) to its current Phase I 200 MW capacity. The Phase II expansion, which is set to commence construction soon, marks a significant step towards the facility’s potential to scale up to approximately 500 MWs.

Robin Boren, President of Southern Power, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, emphasizing its role in offering clean energy solutions to a diverse range of customers, thereby aiding in their sustainability goals. Boren sees this as a testament to Southern Power’s commitment to shaping the future of energy while meeting the evolving needs of communities and customers alike.

Situated in Haskell County, Texas, the Millers Branch Solar Facility contributes to Southern Power’s growing portfolio of renewable energy assets across the United States, spanning from California to Maine. The company will spearhead the development and construction of both phases of the Millers Branch project, with Phase II anticipated to achieve commercial operation by the second quarter of 2026.

Several notable companies, including Cisco, Juniper Networks, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Cadence, Bio-Rad, PTC, and a major healthcare company, have entered into power purchase agreements with Southern Power for the environmental attributes generated by the 180 MW Phase II portion of the Millers Branch Solar Facility. These agreements, facilitated with support from Sustainability Roundtable Inc., are part of the Net Zero Consortium for Buyers.

With the inclusion of Millers Branch Phase II, Southern Power’s solar portfolio now exceeds 2,920 MW of solar generation either operational or in the construction phase. This expansion further bolsters Southern Power’s renewable fleet, which encompasses 30 solar and 15 wind facilities currently operational or under development.

The project aligns seamlessly with Southern Power’s overarching business strategy, which focuses on fortifying its wholesale business through the acquisition and development of generating assets secured by long-term contracts with creditworthy counterparties.