Cypress Creek Renewables, a prominent developer of solar and storage solutions and an independent power producer, announced the completion and commencement of commercial operations for its latest and largest hybrid facility, Zier, located in Brackettville, Texas. This facility significantly contributes to grid capacity at a time when energy demand in the state is at an all-time high.

The power plant features 208MW of photovoltaic capacity, sufficient to power over 41,600 homes in Texas annually, complemented by 80MWh of battery storage. This storage capacity has already been harnessed by the ERCOT grid to alleviate strain on the supply during periods of heightened demand.

Cypress Creek marked the commencement of commercial operations at the site by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kinney County. The event honored the company's supply, construction, financial, and community partners. As part of the project's impact, it is anticipated to generate $11.5 million in tax revenue for the county, with an additional $11.7 million allocated for the Brackett Independent School District.

Sarah Slusser, CEO of Cypress Creek Renewables, emphasized that clean, reliable power plays a crucial role in supporting the remarkable ongoing growth in Texas. She expressed the company's pride in bringing online additional solar capacity and dispatchable energy from batteries like those at Zier. Slusser highlighted the significance of these resources, which have already demonstrated their vital role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply and maintaining comfort during critical times for Texans.

Judd Messer, Texas Vice President of Advanced Power Alliance, stressed the crucial need for every available megawatt in Texas, highlighting the pivotal role of low-cost renewable energy in ERCOT's soaring production. Solar energy consistently meets capacity demands during daytime peaks, while responsive energy storage ensures reliability during demand spikes or disruptions in dispatchable energy. Messer emphasized the importance of a diverse resource mix for grid reliability and affordability. He expressed optimism about projects like Cypress Creek's facility, which bolster Texas' energy security.

Project financing

Funding for the project came from various partners, including the North American Development Bank (NADBank), a binational financial institution established to back initiatives aimed at preserving, protecting, or enhancing the environment to promote the welfare of both the people of the United States and Mexico.

1G projects across the state

Since its establishment in 2014, Cypress Creek has been actively involved in developing projects in Texas. Through its operating services business, Cypress Creek Solutions, the company currently manages nearly 1GW of projects across the state, including 18 projects owned by Cypress Creek. Additionally, Cypress Creek has a pipeline of 24 projects, totaling 6GW, under construction or in development throughout Texas. This includes a standalone battery storage project of 100 MWh in Rosenberg, near Houston, which is projected to commence commercial operation next month.