NorthAmOil: ExxonMobil, SABIC petrochemical complex to use solar power

BP’s solar plant Peacock in Texas will sell all of the electricity it generates under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) to the nearby Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV), a 50:50 joint venture (JV) between ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp (SABIC).

The ethane cracker and derivatives complex produces materials used to manufacture clothes, food containers, packaging, agricultural film and construction materials.

Peacock will supply power directly to the facility. Once complete, the solar installation will generate enough renewable energy annually to power the equivalent of 34,000 homes.

BP has started construction on the 187-MWdc Peacock project, 16 km north of Corpus Christi in San Patricio County, Texas, helping support the global transition to lower-carbon energy, the multinational company said. 

“We want to be good stewards of our environment,” added Paul Fritsch, president at GCGV. “Once online, the solar-generated electricity will be used to partially power our plant and help reduce emissions in support of a net-zero future,” he said.  

“Securing this agreement and kicking off construction of Peacock helps support the transition to lower carbon energy, while benefiting local communities and the economy,” said Dave Lawler, BP America chairman and president. “It’s another way bp is accelerating growth of our US solar generation capacity, investing in America, and advancing our transformation to an integrated energy company.”

BP’s 50:50 JV partner, global solar leader Lightsource BP, is developing the project and managing the construction on behalf of the supermajor.