Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for SunRoper Solar Project in Wharton County
WHARTON COUNTY, Texas, Sept. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- On September 15, 2023, ground was broken on the 347 MWdc SunRoper Solar project, a significant step in expanding renewable energy capacity near Houston. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by company leaders, project partners, and landowners, marks the start of a major construction project that will provide electricity to a Fortune 100 company under a long-term power purchase agreement.
Scheduled to begin operations in December 2027, the SunRoper Solar project is a joint effort between OCI Energy and Arava Power, with financing provided by ING and construction managed by WHC. Located in Wharton County, Texas, the solar facility is set to add substantial generating capacity, addressing the growing energy demands of the Houston metropolitan area, one of the largest electricity markets in the United States.
"SunRoper demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in meeting Texas' growing electricity needs through critical infrastructure investments," said Sabah Bayatli, President of OCI Energy. "Today's groundbreaking signals the start of an important new chapter for OCI Energy and Arava Power, highlighting the strength of collaboration across development, financing, construction, and energy procurement."
Ilan Zidkony, CEO of Arava Power, echoed these sentiments, stating, "SunRoper represents a significant step in our evolution from pioneers of Israel's solar market to a growing international renewable energy platform. Our partnership with OCI Energy has been instrumental in advancing this project and underscores the kind of strong local collaboration that supports our long-term growth in the U.S. market."
Sven Wellock, Head of Renewables & Power at ING Capital LLC, added, "SunRoper demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced partners come together with a shared commitment to advancing critical energy infrastructure. ING is proud to support OCI Energy and Arava Power, whose vision and collaborative approach have been instrumental in transforming this project from concept to reality."
Randel Badeaux, President of Power, North America for WHC, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, "WHC is proud to serve as EPC contractor on the SunRoper Solar project, bringing our construction expertise to bear on a facility that will deliver meaningful power to the Houston region. This groundbreaking reflects months of careful planning and coordination, and we look forward to executing a safe, high-quality build through to completion in 2027."
The official groundbreaking ceremony, held on the same day, featured remarks from representatives of OCI Energy, Arava Power, ING, and WHC, followed by a ceremonial shovel turn. Once operational, the SunRoper Solar project will contribute significant new generation capacity to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market while supporting economic activity in the region throughout its operational life.
OCI Energy, based in the United States, is a developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects. Since 2012, the company has advanced a growing portfolio of projects across key U.S. power markets, spanning the full lifecycle from early-stage development through asset management. With a multi-gigawatt pipeline and continued expansion, OCI Energy is helping meet rising energy demand with reliable, secure, and affordable power that supports communities and strengthens the grid.
Arava Power, an Israeli utility-scale renewables developer and independent power producer (IPP), has been at the forefront of the energy transition. Founded in 2007, the company has developed, owned, and operated a multi-gigawatt portfolio of solar energy and energy storage assets in Israel and the United States. Arava Power is committed to delivering clean, sustainable energy solutions and has played a significant role in the renewable energy landscape.