Ørsted takes FID and starts construction of Helena Energy Centre in Texas

Ørsted has taken a final investment decision on its largest onshore project to date, the 518 MW hybrid wind and solar photovoltaic project, Helena Energy Center, with an expected operational date in the first half of 2022.

The project expands Ørsted's onshore portfolio to Bee County, South Texas. The hybrid nature of the project allows Ørsted to maximize the use of the excellent location, in a highly liquid market, on a primary transmission import path into the San Antonio load center and in an area characterized by strong coastal winds and sunshine.

The Helena Energy Center consists of 268 MW Helena Wind and 250 MWAC solar PV Sparta Solar and has secured contracts with multiple corporate off-takers including Henkel for a portion of the wind generation and Target for a portion of the solar generation.

As part of the Helena Energy Center project, Ørsted is partnering with the Texas Native Seeds Program, non-profit research, and development program of Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M - Kingsville, to research the optimal seed mix and planting process to grow native grasses under a portion of the solar project. Potential benefits include lower operational costs, enhanced biodiversity to attract pollinators, lower erosion, and production improvements by lowering the ambient temperature.