Meta Secures Full Output of ENGIE’s 600 MW Swenson Ranch Solar Farm in Texas

Houston, Texas – ENGIE has finalized a long-term power purchase agreement with Meta for the entire electricity output of the planned 600 MW Swenson Ranch Solar Project in Stonewall County, Texas. The facility, scheduled for commissioning in 2027, will become ENGIE’s largest renewable asset in the United States.

The agreement deepens the relationship between the French energy group and the technology company, lifting their combined contracted renewable capacity in Texas to more than 1.3 GW across four projects. Once operational, the Swenson Ranch plant will supply power to support Meta’s expanding data center network across the country.

Key project details

Swenson Ranch Solar is expected to create approximately 350 skilled jobs during the construction phase. Over its lifetime, the project is projected to contribute close to $160 million in local tax revenues, providing a long-term economic boost to Stonewall County and surrounding communities.

ENGIE will develop, build and operate the site, incorporating lessons learned from its existing U.S. portfolio, which surpasses 11 GW in operation or under construction. That portfolio spans utility-scale solar, onshore wind and battery energy storage systems.

Strategic implications for Meta

By contracting for the full capacity of Swenson Ranch, Meta continues a strategy of pairing large-scale renewable projects with its energy-intensive data centers. The company has relied on similar agreements to reach its goal of matching global operations with 100 percent renewable electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, corporate procurement remains a significant driver of new utility-scale renewable installations nationwide.

ENGIE’s global PPA expansion

The Swenson Ranch contract aligns with ENGIE’s plan to accelerate renewable PPAs as a core element of its growth strategy. The company reports that it secured 4.3 GW of renewable power purchase agreements worldwide by 2024, underscoring heightened demand from industrial and digital-economy customers seeking to decarbonize operations.

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE’s senior executive vice president for Renewable & Flexible Power, said the Texas project demonstrates the firm’s capacity to deliver large-scale facilities while leveraging local supply chains and workforce. He noted that partnerships with data center operators and other industrial clients support ENGIE’s objective of providing competitive, low-carbon energy solutions.

Local and regional context

Stonewall County, located in the wind- and solar-rich region of West Texas, has attracted considerable renewable investment over the past decade. Favorable solar irradiance, proximity to transmission infrastructure, and state-level market design have combined to lower development costs and shorten construction timelines for projects of Swenson Ranch’s scale.

Imagem: financial planning 83

Beyond direct employment, ENGIE anticipates ancillary benefits for nearby businesses that supply goods and services during construction and operation. The expected tax base expansion is earmarked for public schools, county services and other community priorities, according to project planning documents submitted to local authorities.

Recent ENGIE activities

Earlier this year, ENGIE partnered with NHOA Energy to break ground on a 400 MWh battery energy storage system in Beveren, Belgium. The storage project is part of a broader initiative to pair variable renewable output with flexible assets capable of supporting grid stability and enhancing the value of intermittent generation such as solar.

Next steps for Swenson Ranch

Development work on Swenson Ranch Solar will continue through detailed engineering, equipment procurement and permitting milestones. Civil construction is slated to begin once critical-path components are secured and interconnection studies with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) progress as scheduled.

Upon completion, the plant will add substantial solar capacity to the ERCOT grid, which has seen accelerating renewable adoption in recent years. The project’s 2027 start-up timeline positions it to meet a portion of Meta’s anticipated load growth and to contribute to Texas’ evolving generation mix.

Crédito da imagem: ENGIE