Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, has announced that its True North Solar project has successfully commenced commercial operations. As Avangrid’s largest solar project to date, True North has a capacity of 238 MWac (321 MWdc) and plays a crucial role in providing reliable power for U.S. data centers while reinforcing Texas’s status as a major energy hub.
The project is now delivering electricity to the Texas grid and supporting Meta’s operations, including its upcoming data center in Temple, which will be Meta’s second data center facility in Texas. According to a recent U.S. Department of Energy report, data centers could account for 12% of U.S. electricity demand by 2028—three times the current level. Projects like True North are essential to meeting this growing demand while ensuring local communities continue to receive stable power for homes and businesses.
Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, said in a statement, “True North is a milestone project for Avangrid and we are proud to see it generating electricity for the Texas grid. With a projected boom in data center construction over the next several years that will significantly increase energy demand, projects like True North are and will be vital to ensuring the resiliency and reliability of the Texas electrical grid. Furthermore, these facilities represent new sources of locally produced power that will support the state’s growing economy for decades to come.”
Jay Elliot, Falls County Judge, stated, “I’m happy to see this project completed. They contribute a lot to the non-profits and schools in our community.”
Beyond energy production, True North has contributed significantly to the local economy. During peak construction, the project created approximately 300 jobs, most of which were filled by workers from the surrounding area. Avangrid’s $369 million investment in the project is expected to generate more than $40 million in property tax revenue over its lifetime, benefiting public services in Falls County and neighboring communities, particularly schools. In addition to short-term construction jobs, the facility will also support several permanent, full-time positions for ongoing operations.
The development of True North also played a role in boosting U.S. manufacturing. Avangrid partnered with ARRAY Technologies, a solar equipment manufacturer based in New Mexico, to procure solar trackers, which are essential for optimizing energy production by adjusting panel positioning based on the sun’s movement. Many of the tracker materials were sourced from ARRAY’s Albuquerque facility and other regional suppliers, further supporting domestic manufacturing.
B. Springston, superintendent of schools at Mart Independent School District (ISD), mentioned, “Avangrid has been a fantastic partner to Mart ISD and we are glad to see their project is now operating. True North will deliver significant additional revenue to Mart ISD, which we can use to improve the experience for all of our students for years to come. These funds help provide materials for STEM education and learning, materials for teachers, busing for students, updated athletic facilities for students and the community, and helps provide for the total well-being of our community.”
Kevin G. Hostetler, ARRAY’s chief executive officer, commented, “ARRAY Technologies is proud to support Avangrid in delivering reliable, renewable energy through the True North solar project. Our domestically manufactured solar trackers are supporting American jobs and designed to optimize energy production, ensuring that projects like this can meet the growing demand for electricity. This milestone highlights the strength of American manufacturing and the critical role of innovative solar technology in powering the future.”
To bring the project to life, Avangrid collaborated with Black & Veatch, a prominent engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm specializing in utility-scale solar projects. Black & Veatch has played a key role in the design and construction of more than 50 GW of solar projects worldwide, bringing significant expertise to True North’s development.
With over 488,000 solar panels installed, True North is expected to generate enough energy each year to power nearly 60,000 U.S. homes. Avangrid has been operating in Texas for more than 15 years, contributing to the state’s energy growth. The company now has seven active projects in Texas, with a combined capacity of nearly 1.6 GW. These projects represent a total investment of over $2 billion, have created more than 65 full-time jobs, and have contributed $118 million in tax revenue since 2009.
Jim Doull, president, Power Providers for Black & Veatch, also added, “We extend a heartfelt congratulations to our partner in Avangrid on the achievement of the first commercial operation of True North Solar. Our teams endured many challenges during this project. Accomplishing such a monumental task takes grit, determination and strong cross-collaboration. Black & Veatch is proud to have been part of this project to help deliver reliable energy to power central Texas.”
