The Port of Corpus Christi and Buckeye Partners, L.P., to Establish Solar Farm in Coastal Bend
Aug 16, 2022
Corpus Christi, TX, USA – The Port of Corpus Christi Commission approved a lease agreement with Buckeye Partners, L.P., that will establish the first solar farm in the 100-year history of the Port. The 81,000+ panel project will be located in San Patricio County on Port of Corpus Christi property near Midway Junction.
This partnership is the latest initiative undertaken by the Port of Corpus Christi in its bullish drive to lead the global market into the energy renaissance, rendering renewable energy a legitimate and sustainable commodity. The lease agreement, approved by Port of Corpus Christi Commissioners on August 16, provides Buckeye with a two-year development term to evaluate the feasibility of constructing the solar farm project on 136.69 acres of Port-owned property. North of the proposed lease premises are 112 acres, owned by Buckeye, yielding a combined acreage of 248 acres available to construct the farm, which will have the capacity to produce 88,000 MWh of electricity per year.
“This is an exciting day for the Port of Corpus Christi as this lease agreement reinforces our commitment not only to embrace renewable energy developments we have long made a priority, but to solidify the Port as a thought leader in the global energy marketplace, with the support of our partners at Buckeye,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. “True innovation integrates collaboration and trust, and we are excited and appreciative of our partnership with Buckeye in this new solar farm endeavor, which marks the expansion into a new chapter for the Port of Corpus Christi and our history.”
As the nation’s leading export gateway for U.S.-produced energy, the Port of Corpus Christi continues to position itself as a leader in the energy transition by encouraging and helping its users to accomplish their own climate action goals. In March 2022, the Port of Corpus Christi adopted an updated environmental policy to further clarify goals and set timeframes to achieve them over the next few years.
“This new agreement deepens and further expands our longstanding partnership with the Port of Corpus Christi,” said Todd Russo, Chief Executive Officer for Buckeye Partners, L.P. “Buckeye is privileged to invest and work across South Texas, and we’re excited to help grow the region’s economy while diversifying our energy and lower-carbon solutions.”
Commercial operations of the solar farm are tentatively scheduled to begin in Q4 2025.
“This agreement with Buckeye is an exciting new venture in the Port of Corpus Christi’s 100-year history,” said Charles W. Zahn Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman. “While we remain fully committed to traditional forms of energy – which will continue to power our world for decades to come – new initiatives like this can complement them by offering renewable energy for production and other operations.”
About Port Corpus Christi
As a leader in U.S. energy export ports and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the largest port in the United States in total revenue tonnage. Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36-mile, soon to be 54-foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce. The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven-member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.” www.portofcc.com
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