SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, June 17, 2022 – The very first company to develop utility-scale solar energy projects in Texas has reached another significant milestone. This year, 2022, marks 10 years since OCI Energy established its headquarters in San Antonio.
“When we launched the development of 400 MW of solar power for CPS Energy, it was the largest project in Texas and one of the largest in the U.S.,” said Charles Kim, President & CEO, OCI Energy. “Over the last decade, not only did we build a total of 500 MW of clean, renewable energy for the utility giant, but we developed an additional 500 MW of solar in ERCOT, helping to boost CPS and Texas’ profiles as renewable industry leaders.”
Earlier this year, a study by the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center ranked CPS Energy fifth in the nation for total solar capacity. And according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Texas ranks second in total solar megawatts installed, which is a significant boost from its 10th ranking in 2010.
The turnaround started happening a year later when in 2011, the City of San Antonio, acting through the largest municipal gas and electric provider in the country, CPS Energy, issued a request for proposals for the largest amount of solar projects to be developed in the state to date.
“We wanted to bring San Antonio into the 21st century when it came to renewable energy and also building out a renewable energy economy, creating jobs that were good paying jobs, that could become sort of the next generation of opportunity in San Antonio,” said Julian Castro, Former Mayor of San Antonio.
In Q1 of 2012, out of 119 proposals, OCI Energy was selected as the sole project developer and relocated its corporate headquarters from Atlanta to San Antonio. As part of the Economic Development Agreement with the City and CPS Energy, OCI Energy developed nine currently-operational solar projects (https://ocisolarpower.com/texas-utilities/), totaling 500 MW of solar generation capacity, for which CPS Energy purchases all of the solar power output under long-term contracts.
“We are extremely proud of our work and all our solar assets, but we are also honored to have helped form a solar eco-system which created 800 jobs, establish the EPIcenter (a local, cutting-edge, non-profit propelling energy innovation and thought leadership for a better global future),
and serve as a good corporate citizen, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to local organizations,” said Kim.
“It turned out to be a wonderful partnership with wonderful people, but more importantly, the transaction brought incredible value to San Antonio and the community. It also put CPS on the path to decarbonization, transitioning to new fuel types, and lowering emissions for the future,” said Doyle Beneby, Former President & CEO, CPS Energy.
OCI Energy’s efforts to provide clean, renewable energy is just beginning. The utility-scale solar developer recently announced 620 megawatts of additional solar power projects in its pipeline.
“We also see battery energy storage playing a major role going forward, and through our collaboration with CPS Energy, we are already a leader in this space,” said Timothy Heinle, VP of Business Development. “The Astro battery pilot project at our Alamo 1 Solar Farm is already five years old. It has a capacity of 1 MW and we plan to go much bigger.”
OCI Energy’s San Antonio legacy and its ambitious plans for the future were shared at a 10th anniversary celebration held May 26th at the River Terrace downtown. The event included performances honoring the company’s Korean heritage as well as its Texas-and-Mexican-influenced home base.
At the celebration, the confluence of cultures was seen and heard both outside and inside the venue. Custom papel picado (decorative paper folk art) hung over the terrace and from the lights in the ballroom; a mariachi group serenaded guests as they arrived; the menu featured a fusion of food like jalapeno cornbread, beef bulgogi, and Hotteoks with roasted Texas pecans; and during lunch, members of the Korean American Cultural Center performed an inspiring fan dance and Samgo-mu (three-drum dance).
OCI Company’s Vice Chairman, WooHyun Lee, thanked everyone in attendance.
“The past 10 years were challenging, unpredictable, and also exciting ones. One thing is for sure – we would not be here without your continuing support,” he told the crowd of more than 100 people, including local partners, city officials, and other dignitaries.
For photos of the event and of OCI Energy’s projects, go to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16YyUlO1DWqnMUxbtA4VzThM3hdlNDlF9?usp=sharing.
To the view the special 10th anniversary video, go to https://youtu.be/eBsLBXovqVc.
About OCI Energy LLC
OCI Energy is a leader in the solar power industry. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, OCI Energy develops, constructs, finances, owns, and operates solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities, specializing in utility-scale and distributed generation solar projects throughout the U.S. OCI Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI Company, Ltd., a publically traded company in Korea that provides solutions to customers worldwide through business portfolios ranging from basic chemical products to solar PV generation and urban development under the vision of “Global Leading Green Energy and Chemical Company.” For more information, visit ocisolarpower.com.
