Origis Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announce a new power purchase agreement to develop Hope Solar + Storage, a project combining 200 MWac of solar capacity and 200 MW (800 MWh) of energy storage in Clay County, Mississippi.
Scheduled for commercial operation in late 2028, the project is awaiting the necessary environmental and development approvals.
The energy produced will be sold to TVA to support the region’s rapid economic and demographic growth . Clay County is growing faster than the national average, with its population increasing three times faster and regional GDP rising by 3% in 2023, exceeding the national average by 2.5%.
The Hope Solar + Storage project aims to meet growing energy demand while improving grid reliability.
Estimates indicate economic benefits of $182 million related to construction and employment, as well as approximately $7.2 million in economic spin-offs over the life of the facility.
A strategic partnership for the region
Jeremy Fisher, TVA’s Senior Vice President Strategy & Commercial Officer, points out that this project reflects TVA’s commitment to increasing the share of affordable and reliable renewable energy in its portfolio.
He points out that the initiative brings economic benefits to communities and customers while strengthening national energy security.
For his part, Johan Vanhee, Origis Energy’s Chief Commercial and Procurement Officer, notes that this partnership benefits several stakeholders, helping industrial customers in particular to achieve their decarbonization objectives.
Prior to this new agreement, Origis Energy and TVA were already collaborating on three other projects in Mississippi.
Golden Triangle II, a 150 MWac solar project with 50 MW of battery storage in Lowndes County, went into commercial operation earlier this year.
Two other projects are currently under construction: Golden Triangle I, also in Lowndes County, with a capacity of 200 MWac and 50 MW of storage, scheduled for commissioning in 2025; and Optimist, located in Clay County, with a capacity of 200 MWac and 50 MW of storage, expected in early 2026.
Strengthening energy infrastructures
Origis Energy is responsible for the development, construction and operation of the projects for TVA.
Each site will supply energy at competitive rates under power purchase agreements between TVA and Origis.
TVA will use this energy to meet growing demand, improve grid reliability and support the objectives of some of its major industrial customers through its Green Invest program.
TVA’s Green Invest program facilitates investment in renewable energy in partnership with companies wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.
By collaborating with Origis Energy, TVA is strengthening its position in the development of alternative energy sources to support the region’s economic growth.
This new project highlights the importance of partnerships between public and private players in the energy sector.
By combining the efforts of Origis Energy and TVA, Mississippi benefits from a strengthened energy infrastructure to support its demographic and industrial expansion.
The Hope Solar + Storage project represents a key step towards meeting future energy needs while contributing to local economic development.
