Ferrovial has started construction of a solar photovoltaic plant for X-Helium in Texas (USA) for about 54 million euros (about 60 million dollars), it is the first contract for the construction of renewable energy infrastructure that the company in the US market.
After the act of laying the foundation stone, Ferrovial will carry out the works of the plant -which has a capacity of 72 megawatts (MW)- during an execution period that will extend over 18 months, as indicated by the group chaired by Rafael del Pino. In particular, the plant will have an annual production of approximately 137-gigawatt hours (GWh), which will power approximately 9,500 homes throughout the year and will avoid the emission of more than 85,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
X-Elio expects an investment of approximately 124 million euros ($136.7 million) for the development of the plant, which will be accompanied by a 60 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project and which will start operating at the beginning of 2024. The works, which will be carried out through its subsidiary Webber and the Ferrovial Energy Solutions division, include the engineering, construction, and commissioning of the photovoltaic plant, as well as its operation and maintenance during the first few years.
The project, which extends to Harris and Liberty counties in Houston, will also include civil works, electrical installation, assembly of structures and modules, as well as the security system and construction of the booster substation. With this first contract for the construction of an energy infrastructure in Texas, Ferrovial consolidates its business in the country, where it expects to be listed once the merger is completed through which it will be absorbed by the Dutch subsidiary and, consequently, will become headquartered in the countries Bassi, where it will also debut on the Amsterdam stock market.
In line with its “Horizon 24” plan, Ferrovial has opted for the creation of businesses complementary to its business, such as the creation of the Energy Solutions area within its construction division. In addition to this project in the United States, the company was awarded a 200 MW photovoltaic plant in Badajoz, the construction of another 50 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Seville, as well as the Cabo Leones wind farm in Chile.
