Independent power producer (IPP) Akuo has entered into a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Imerys, paving the way for the development of a PV solar power plant in Coke County, Texas.
The facility will have an installed capacity of around 195MW, with 57MW specifically allocated to supporting Imerys’ operations. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 153GWh of renewable electricity annually.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
Under the terms of the agreement, renewable energy from the plant will supply around 30% of Imerys’ annual electricity consumption. The Texas solar facility is slated to be commissioned in the second half of 2026. Known as the Tennyson plant, it will mark Akuo’s first solar power project in the country. The construction phase is anticipated to engage up to 400 workers, including employees and contractors.
Leah Wilson, sustainability director at Imerys, noted that power purchase agreements like the one signed with Akuo are effective instruments in supporting Imerys’ ambitious emissions reduction goals.
The agreement represents a key milestone in Imerys’ decarbonization efforts and reinforces its commitment to lowering its environmental footprint. It adds to existing PPAs with solar farms in Cornwall in the United Kingdom, Hidd in Bahrain, Wuhu in China, and Ipoh in Malaysia.
Recently, private equity firm Ardian finalised an agreement to acquire French IPP Akuo. Through this acquisition, Ardian sought to accelerate the growth of Akuo’s development pipeline by leveraging its industry expertise. The firm also committed to providing the financial resources needed to support Akuo’s renewable initiatives, including projects in agrivoltaics and floating solar technology.
Akuo operates across several European markets – including France, Portugal, and Greece – as well as in the Americas and Asia. Its renewable energy portfolio includes 1.9GW of solar, wind, and energy storage projects that are either operational or under construction. The company is also developing a pipeline of over 12GW, with a goal of reaching 5GW of installed capacity by 2030.
