Ørsted Completes Helena Energy Center, Texas’ Largest Combined Wind and Solar Project

Ørsted Completes Helena Energy Center, Texas’ Largest Combined Wind and Solar Project

(IN BRIEF) Ørsted has completed the Helena Energy Center in Bee County, South Texas, comprising a 518 MW combined wind and solar project. This marks Ørsted’s first co-located wind and solar initiative and is the largest renewable energy project in their global onshore portfolio. The facility, consisting of the Helena Wind farm and Sparta Solar farm, will provide renewable energy equivalent to powering over 110,000 Texan homes and businesses annually. The project has also generated significant economic benefits for the local community, including job creation and support for public schools, reinforcing Texas’ renewable energy capabilities.

(PRESS RELEASE) FREDERICIA, 14-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Ørsted has announced the successful commissioning of the Helena Energy Center, a pioneering 518 MW combined wind and solar project situated in Bee County, South Texas. This milestone marks Ørsted’s first co-located wind and solar initiative and stands as the largest renewable energy project in their global onshore portfolio. The project integrates the 268 MW Helena Wind farm with the 250 MWAC Sparta Solar farm, powering more than 110,000 Texan homes and businesses annually.

David Hardy, Executive Vice President and CEO of Region Americas at Ørsted, emphasized the significance of Helena Energy Center, stating, “Harnessing the robust coastal winds and abundant sunshine of the Gulf of Mexico, this project bolsters Texas’ energy grid with reliable renewable energy while fostering economic growth in the local community.” With the launch of Helena Energy Center, Ørsted’s global operating onshore portfolio reaches 4.8 GW, with further expansions anticipated as additional US projects come online this year.

Currently, Ørsted has over 1.3 GW of onshore renewable assets under construction, with approximately 1.1 GW expected to commence operations in 2024.

To commemorate the project’s completion, Ørsted hosted a celebratory event at Helena’s facility, attended by partners, landowners, community members, and local and state officials. Senator Morgan LaMantia of Bee County expressed optimism about the project’s impact, stating, “This initiative not only enhances Texas’ clean power capabilities but also brings significant benefits to our community, including job creation, support for public schools, and investment in rural areas.”

The construction phase of Helena Energy Center generated around 500 jobs, with long-term employment opportunities anticipated in operations and maintenance.

About Ørsted
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen and green fuels facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted is recognised on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action and was the first energy company in the world to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs approx. 8,900 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2023, the group’s revenue was DKK 79.3 billion (EUR 10.6 billion). Visit orsted.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

Media Contact:

 Media Relations:
Tom Christiansen
+45 99 55 60 17
tomlc@orsted.com

Investor Relations:
Rasmus Keglberg Hærvig
+45 99 55 90 95
IR@orsted.com

SOURCE: Ørsted A/S