A sprawling solar panel and battery storage facility in Bastrop County is on the verge of completion.
The 200-megawatt Big Star project will have 80 megawatts of battery storage. Testing on the project is almost wrapped up, and it's scheduled to begin commercial operation in March.
German multinational company RWE announced the project's impending completion Wednesday. Big Star is one of three RWE battery energy storage projects to be brought online this year in the United States.
The large battery energy storage project will participate in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market. Big Star's solar photovoltaic electricity output will be provided to a third party.
The project will secure $30 million in taxes in Bastrop County over its 30-year life. The system could also contribute to power grid stability as a backup power source.
