TotalEnergies, the France-based energy giant, has launched commercial operations at two major utility-scale solar farms in southeast Texas: Danish Fields and Cottonwood. With a combined capacity of 1.2 GW, the projects also feature co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS).
TotalEnergies Expands Texas Solar Farms with Battery Storage
The projects include TotalEnergies’ largest U.S. solar farm—the 720 MW Danish Fields project—and the 455 MW Cottonwood project. Each facility is equipped with a 225 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) from its subsidiary Saft; the Danish Fields BESS is now operational, while the Cottonwood battery is scheduled for commissioning in 2025.
These projects mark the latest additions to the company’s 4 GW portfolio of renewable assets now operating or under construction in Texas.
TotalEnergies Secures PPAs to Power US Gulf Coast Operations
Danish Fields has secured long-term corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 70% of its solar capacity with companies like Saint-Gobain. The remaining 30% will be used to help decarbonize TotalEnergies’ industrial sites along the US Gulf Coast.
Along with Myrtle Solar, which came online last year, and the Hill 1 solar farm currently under construction, these three projects will supply power to TotalEnergies’ facilities in Port Arthur and La Porte, Texas, and Carville, Louisiana. Cottonwood’s energy output is also contracted under long-term PPAs with LyondellBasell and Saint-Gobain.
“The start-ups of Danish Fields and Cottonwood in the fast-growing Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market showcase TotalEnergies’ ability to deliver competitive renewable electricity to support our clients’ decarbonisation goals, as well as our own,” said Olivier Jouny, senior vice president of renewables at TotalEnergies.
While ERCOT serves about 90% of the state’s customers rather than the entire grid, its significant influence over the Texas power sector means its policies are highly impactful.
Texas Solar Capacity to Skyrocket in the Next Five Years
The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects that Texas will add over 50 GW of new solar power capacity in the next five years, the highest in the country. Meanwhile, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) estimates that ERCOT’s demand for solar energy could hit 118 GW by the end of the decade. Earlier this month, Arava Power launched commercial operations at a 270 MW solar project in Texas, reflecting the ongoing growth of the state’s solar sector.
TotalEnergies currently has a 4 GW portfolio of solar projects operating or under construction in Texas. The company aims to expand its U.S. portfolio to 10 GW of operating capacity by the end of next year.
This U.S. expansion is a key part of its global strategy, representing nearly one-third of its target to reach 35 GW in renewable power by 2025. The company’s growth also extends internationally, with a newly announced 1 GW solar portfolio in India.