WHARTON COUNTY — Construction has started on a new large-scale solar project in Wharton County.
OCI Energy, Arava Power and other project partners broke ground Tuesday, Sept. 1, on the SunRoper Solar project, a planned 347-megawatt solar facility near FM 1096 in the Boling-Iago area.
The project is expected to begin operating in December 2027.
Solar Power Going to Fortune 100 Company
According to OCI Energy and Arava Power, electricity from SunRoper will be sold to a Fortune 100 company under a long-term power purchase agreement. The company was not named in the announcement.
Once the project is operating, the electricity it generates will feed into the ERCOT market and add generating capacity as power demand continues to increase in Texas and the Houston region.
“SunRoper demonstrates how strategic partnerships can help meet Texas’ growing demand for electricity through investments in critical energy infrastructure,” OCI Energy President Sabah Bayatli said.
Who Is Behind the Project
SunRoper is being developed by OCI Energy and Arava Power. ING is financing the project, and WHC is handling engineering, procurement and construction.
Representatives from the companies, along with project partners and landowners, attended Tuesday’s groundbreaking. The ceremony included remarks from OCI Energy, Arava Power, ING and WHC before a ceremonial shovel turn.
Arava Power CEO Ilan Zidkony said the project is part of the company’s continued growth in the U.S. renewable energy market.
WHC’s Randel Badeaux said crews are working toward completing the project in 2027.
Completion Planned for December 2027
SunRoper is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027.
The project will bring another major energy development to Wharton County, with construction now underway in the Boling-Iago area.
Photo caption: OCI Energy, Arava Power and project partners break ground on the SunRoper Solar project in Wharton County on Sept. 1, 2026. The 347-megawatt project is expected to begin operations in December 2027. Photo courtesy of OCI Energy/Arava Power.
