solar funding

Houston-area solar farm to move forward with $394M in construction financing

San Antonio-based OCI Energy is developing Project SunRope outside of Houston. Photo via Pexels.com

Project SunRope, a 347-megawatt solar project outside of Houston, has landed $394 million in construction financing.

The project, located in Wharton County, about 60 miles outside of Houston, is slated to begin commercial operation in Q3 2027 and aims to support emission reductions, grid reliability and affordability in one of the highest electricity-demand regions in Texas and the U.S. It’s being developed through a joint venture between San Antonio-based OCI Energy and leading Israeli solar company Arava Power. New York-based ING Capital underwrote the financing package.

“The close of construction financing for Project SunRoper represents an important milestone for OCI Energy and our partners,” Sabah Bayatli, resident of OCI Energy, said in a news release. “This transaction reflects our continued commitment to deliver high-quality, utility-scale solar projects that strengthen grid reliability and provide affordable energy infrastructure.”

The construction financing is supported by a 20-year power purchase agreement with a Fortune 100 company, according to the release. Other collaborators include BHI and Bank of Hapoalim, which provided financing support and letters of credit to support the development of the project.

This is the second transaction between OCI Energy and ING, as they previously worked together on financing for the Alamo City Battery Energy Storage System, a 120-megawatt battery energy storage system under development in Bexar County.

“This project exemplifies the high‑quality renewable infrastructure we seek to finance – a strong sponsor partnership, a long‑term contracted revenue profile, and a well‑located asset in one of the most dynamic power markets in the United States,” Sven Wellock, managing director at ING, added in the release. “We are proud to build on our existing relationship with OCI Energy and to partner with Arava Power on its continued expansion in the U.S. market, advancing a project that will deliver reliable, affordable clean energy for years to come.”

OCI Energy operates several utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system projects outside of the San Antonio area, as well as in Georgia and New Jersey. It has five other projects under construction outside of San Antonio and Waco, with more than 20 under development throughout the state.

Trending News

A View From HETI

The company plans to grow its Houston workforce to 100 employees by the end of 2028. Photo courtesy BlueSpark Energy

Pulsed-power technology company BlueSpark Energy will open its new global headquarters in Houston’s Energy Corridor to house its engineering, research and development, manufacturing, commercial and digital teams.

“Houston isn’t simply our new headquarters; it’s where a new BlueSpark begins,” Kahina Abdeli-Galinier, president and CEO of BlueSpark, said in a news release. ”We’re building the well health technology the industry needs to get more from existing wells, reduce intervention costs and keep wells producing for longer. Our new home brings us closer to our customers and places us at the heart of one of the most exciting markets in the industry, with the talent pool to match.”

The company, which began in Calgary, plans to grow its Houston workforce to 100 employees by the end of 2028, while the manufacturing element is expected to be operational in February 2027.

According to BlueSpark, the new facility will feature double the manufacturing floorspace of its current site, and the extra space will allow it to scale its tool manufacturing.

The headquarters is on West Sam Houston Parkway. BlueSpark's Chief Technology Officer Matt Mohajer and Chief Commercial Officer Zach Wilbur are already leading teams at the new space, according to the release.

BlueSpark develops pulsed-power technology that uses electrical energy to clean oil and gas well components, remove scale buildup and restore production without damaging equipment. Its technology helps operators reduce downtime, improve well performance and extend the productive life of existing wells.

Late last year, the company named Kahina Abdeli-Galinier as its CEO. It has since rebranded and focused on expanding its technology into new applications, including plugging and abandonment, cement removal and water services.

“We’re investing heavily in our technology, both the physics and the intelligence and delivery layer around it,” Abdeli-Galinier added in the release. “Having our engineering, manufacturing, digital, R&D and commercial teams in one place allows us to move much faster, giving our customers the tools they need to keep wells healthy and producing more for longer.”

Trending News