Let the Sun Shine

TVA and Origis Energy Add 150 Megawatts of Solar and Battery Storage in Mississippi

TVA has teamed up with Origis Energy to bring 150 megawatts of solar plus 50 megawatts of battery storage to the Golden Triangle II site in Mississippi. The site is the first of three solar plus storage projects in Origis’ Mississippi portfolio that has reached commercial operation.   

“As a national clean energy leader, TVA is on the forefront to drive carbon reduction across all sectors of the economy and provide the clean power needed to fuel our region’s growth,” said Amy Tate, TVA Southwest Region executive. “Together, with partners like Origis, TVA is developing carbon-free energy solutions that create jobs and investment in the communities we serve.”  

The Magnolia State is home to two other Origis renewable energy projects — Golden Triangle I, in Lowndes County, a 200 MWac project with 50 megawatts of battery storage, and Optimist, in Clay County, a 200 MWac project with 50 megawatts of battery storage. This is the largest battery storage portfolio under construction in the state, which helps maintain TVA’s leadership in clean power generation.

“Solar energy enhances Mississippi’s economic competitiveness, and Origis is removing limits to a cleaner, brighter future by building the region’s clean energy infrastructure,” said Johan Vanhee, chief commercial and procurement officer for Origis. “Golden Triangle II is the first step in fostering a zero-carbon economy across the state that supports our nation’s economic and energy security goals.”

When completed in 2025, Origis’ Mississippi clean energy complex will have a total capacity of 550 megawatts plus 150 megawatts of battery storage. Roughly 1.5 million solar panel modules will be installed at the three sites, enough to power an estimated 126,000 homes. 

Origis Energy, one of America’s leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution providers, developed, constructed and will operate the three projects for TVA. Each site will deliver clean energy at competitive rates under Power Purchase Agreements executed between TVA and Origis. TVA will use the power to help meet the energy demand and sustainability goals of some of its large industrial customers through its industry-leading Green Invest program, including Meta. Golden Triangle II will support Meta’s operations in the TVA area as part of the more than 1,000 MWac capacity Meta has partnered with TVA on.

“Partnering with TVA on the Green Invest program has made it possible for our operations in the Tennessee Valley to be supported by new solar energy constructed in the region,” said Urvi Parekh, head of Renewable Energy at Meta. “This solar farm is Meta’s first renewable energy project in Mississippi, and we’re excited to see it come online.”

Following the pandemic, TVA’s affordable, reliable and clean energy, coupled with unprecedented migration into the area, resulted in a rebound in economic growth in the Golden Triangle area of 8% in 2021 and 3.5% in 2022. That growth is expected to continue, according to the recent University of Tennessee Baker School study which projects the TVA region’s population to grow by 22% by 2050.

Estimated economic benefits from the three projects include $106 million in near-term construction and hiring gains to the area. Over the life of the solar complex, they will provide another $145 million in estimated regional economic benefits.

RES is providing construction services to Origis for the portfolio, employing an estimated 500 people over the course of the three projects. Upon completion of the plants, Origis Energy Services will operate and maintain the portfolio, employing approximately nine on-site jobs over the 35-plus project life years. The utility-scale battery storage for each site is provided by Prevalon Energy, a rebranding of Mitsubishi Power Americas' battery energy storage business.