San Antonio utility CPS Energy announces contract for 300 megawatts of solar

Media Contacts
Luke Metzger

Executive Director, Environment Texas Research & Policy Center

AUSTIN, Texas – San Antonio’s municipally-owned utility CPS Energy announced on Tuesday a contract with Consolidated Edison Development, Inc. to add 300 megawatts of utility-scale solar to its portfolio. This is the first partnership in the utility’s FlexPOWER Bundle initiative which seeks to add 900 megawatts of solar to replace some of the utility’s existing older, dirtier power generation capacity.

In April,  Environment Texas Research and Policy Center released a report that recognized San Antonio as a “Solar Superstar.” The city is ranked first in Texas and fifth in the nation for total solar capacity within city limits. Among the municipally-owned utilities, CPS Energy ranked third for total solar owned or leased inside and outside their service territories behind the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Austin Energy. 

Despite its progress, the city still has immense untapped solar energy potential. San Antonio could accommodate more than 6,200 megawatts of solar PV capacity on the city’s rooftops and much more through utility-scale solar farms.

In response, Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger issued the following statement:

“Solar energy helps San Antonio combat global warming, reduce local air pollution, strengthen the electric grid and stabilize energy costs for residents. It’s exciting to see CPS Energy recognize its incredible value with continued investments in this clean, virtually limitless energy source.  

With drought, flooding and intense heat waves, San Antonio has already experienced the havoc that global warming can cause. Increasing solar energy capacity will be critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more resilient and reliable energy system.

Today’s announcement is great news for solar energy and for the city. We’re excited to see what San Antonio has coming next. The city and CPS should keep going big on solar by adding more utility scale solar, extending solar programs in the STEP program and creating a solar power cooperative to help residents install clean energy on their own roofs, and on every municipal building.”  

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