Origis Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority have announced the first of three solar plus storage projects in their Mississippi portfolio has reached commercial operation. Golden Triangle II, a 150 MWac solar project with 50 MW battery storage, began generating carbon-free electricity on May 21, 2024, per an Origis release.
“Solar energy enhances Mississippi’s economic competitiveness, and Origis is removing limits to a cleaner, brighter future by building the region’s clean-energy infrastructure,” said Johan Vanhee, chief commercial and procurement officer for Origis. “Golden Triangle II is the first step in fostering a zero-carbon economy across the state that supports our nation’s economic and energy security goals.”
The other two Origis undertakings in Mississippi are Golden Triangle I, in Lowndes County, a 200 MWac project with 50 MW of battery storage; and Optimist, in Clay County, a 200 MWac project with 50 MW of battery storage. According to the company, this represents the largest battery storage portfolio under construction in the state. Once completed in 2025, Origis expects its Mississippi portfolio to have a total capacity of 550 MW plus 150 MW of battery storage.
Origis Energy developed, constructed, and will operate the three projects for TVA. Each site will deliver clean energy at competitive rates under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) executed between TVA and Origis. TVA says it will use the power to help meet the energy demand and sustainability goals of some of its large industrial customers, through its Green Invest program, including Meta. Golden Triangle II will support Meta’s operations in the TVA area as part of the more than 1,000 MWac capacity Meta has partnered with TVA on, per the companies.