Apex Clean Energy announced on September 16 that it has signed a power purchase agreement with Meta for exclusive rights to energy from the Starling Solar project in Gonzales County, Texas, including all renewable energy credits. The 144-MW project will add new generation to the local grid that would not have been built without Meta's commitment, according to the company. Apex said the agreement reflects its focus on delivering interconnected, ready-to-build capacity on the accelerated timelines that large-load customers require.
Starling is the seventh transaction between the two companies. Their combined portfolio spans Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa and totals about 1,200 MW. Apex CEO Ken Young said the partnership is built on shared principles of responsible building and disciplined execution. Meta's head of clean and renewable energy, Amanda Yang, said the best clean energy projects are ones where the surrounding community feels the benefit directly, citing school funding, landowner payments, and local hiring.
The project is expected to create significant local economic benefits. These include approximately $27 million in tax revenue over the project's lifetime, with $15.6 million going to local schools, more than $26.3 million in landowner payments, 400 to 450 jobs during construction, and nearly $400,000 in grant funding for local organizations and conservation initiatives. Starling Solar is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027.
What remains unknown from the single source is the financial value or duration of the PPA, the project's total capital cost, and the specific timeline for construction milestones. The announcement was contributed by Apex Clean Energy to Power Magazine, so independent verification of the stated economic benefits and job figures was not available in the dossier.