Construction has started on Big Rooter Power, a 1.2-GW solar project planned for an existing coal mining site in Texas between Dallas and Houston.

The $1.7 billion project is being funded by Panamint Capital. SOLV Energy is serving as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and will install First Solar panels and Nextpower trackers. First Solar, the largest U.S.-based solar manufacturer, has been a frequent supplier for utility-scale projects across the country.

The project will be built in two phases. The first phase, the 491-MW Big Rooter West project, is expected to reach commercial operation in August 2028. The second phase, the 658-MW Big Rooter East project, is scheduled to begin construction next year and enter commercial operation in August 2029. Together, the two projects are expected to create more than 800 construction jobs.

The solar projects will be located near the Twin Oaks power site, which includes a 310-MW coal-fired power plant in Bremond, Texas. There is no plan to retire the coal plant. The siting of large-scale solar at or near existing fossil fuel facilities has become a recurring pattern in U.S. renewable energy development, as developers leverage available land, grid interconnection points, and transmission infrastructure. Texas, already the leading U.S. state in installed solar capacity, continues to attract multibillion-dollar investments of this scale.

"Big Rooter Power represents our vision for getting more out of America's energy infrastructure and ensuring America's energy dominance," said Apolka Totth, Panamint CEO. "When Big Rooter is complete, the Twin Oaks complex will have 1.5 GW of operating thermal and renewable power, in addition to over 20 miles of new 345 kV transmission, 1.6 GWh of battery energy storage and 790 MW of Batch Zero data center capacity under development across our 10,000-acre site."

The integration of solar generation, battery storage, and data center load at a single complex reflects a broader trend in which large energy sites are being designed to serve both grid and industrial customers simultaneously.

George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy, said the project reflects a large-scale investment in U.S. energy infrastructure.

"Big Rooter is a landmark project that reflects the scale of investment being made in America's energy future," Hershman said. "We are proud to partner with Panamint on this important project and help bring their vision to life. From project delivery through long-term asset performance, our focus is on creating lasting value for communities, customers and stakeholders."

The news item was from Panamint.