JERA Nex, a renewable energy company established earlier this year by Japanese utility Jera Co Inc, has entered the U.S. market with the acquisition of a 395-MWac portfolio of two solar farms from Lightsource bp.
JERA Nex Expands U.S. Solar Portfolio
The deal, JERA Nex’s first since its launch in April, adds two U.S. solar assets to its portfolio: the 300-MW Oxbow solar farm in Louisiana—the state’s largest—and the 95-MW Happy solar farm in Arkansas. Both sites were developed by Lightsource bp in close collaboration with local communities.
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Both projects are fully operational and supplying renewable energy. The Happy project has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Conway Corp, the city-owned utility in Conway, Arkansas, while the Oxbow farm has PPAs with corporate customers such as eBay.
“We are delighted to enter the US solar market with the acquisition of these projects. This inaugural transaction signals our ambitious plans to scale both onshore and offshore renewables for a sustainable future, and we aim to build a broader onshore renewables portfolio in the US and globally. Lightsource bp has an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality solar farms, which is exactly what we have acquired with Oxbow and Happy. We look forward to working with the local communities and customers to provide clean, sustainable energy for years to come,” said Richard Scott, VP for Development and Construction Onshore at JERA Nex.
Lightsource bp to Maintain Services for JERA Nex
Lightsource bp will continue to provide asset management and O&M services for JERA Nex, ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing support for local communities and customers.
“It was very important for Lightsource bp to find a reliable and like-minded partner for projects that are so integral to their local communities. We are proud of the successful development of these solar farms and are confident they will continue to thrive under the stewardship of JERA Nex. Our continued involvement through asset management services will ensure a seamless experience for our important project partners,” said Emilie Wangerman, Chief Operating Officer of Lightsource bp US.
“The team at JERA Americas began working with Lightsource bp last year to help drive JERA’s net-zero ambition, and we are delighted to have brought this transaction to a successful conclusion. We will continue to work with JERA Nex and other partners to seek new renewable energy opportunities,” said John O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer of JERA Americas, JERA Co.’s Houston-based US subsidiary.
Partners’ Commitment to Renewable Solutions
JERA Nex was established by JERA to scale renewable energy for a sustainable future. By merging JERA’s strength as one of the world’s largest electricity producers with the agility of a dedicated renewables-focused business, JERA Nex is positioned to drive the global energy transition.
The company invests in, owns, and operates a diverse global portfolio of renewable energy assets exceeding 3 GW, including offshore and onshore wind, solar, and battery storage, with Parkwind as its wholly-owned subsidiary.
JERA Nex employs over 300 experts in the renewable and energy industries, blending global expertise with local knowledge to ensure its projects are delivered successfully.
Lightsource bp is a leading global player in the development and management of solar energy and energy storage. Over the past decade, it has provided affordable, safe, and sustainable energy solutions to businesses and communities worldwide. With a team of over 1,200 experts across 19 regions, Lightsource bp handles the full spectrum of project development—from site selection, financing, and permitting to the long-term management of solar projects and energy sales.
Since 2019, Lightsource bp has launched or started construction on more than 3.2 gigawatts of solar projects across 11 U.S. states, with capital expenditures approaching $4 billion.
The partnership between Lightsource and bp began in 2017, and bp recently announced plans to fully acquire Lightsource bp, which is currently a 50/50 joint venture.