Meta and Zelestra Power Up Renewable Energy with New Texas Solar Agreement
A significant development in the renewable energy sector has been announced with a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Zelestra and Meta Platforms, Inc. The agreement encompasses the 176 MWdc (136 MWaac) Skull Creek Solar Plant, located in Anderson, Texas. This collaboration underscores Meta’s continued commitment to powering its operations with 100 percent renewable energy and marks a notable expansion for Zelestra’s U.S. solar portfolio. The Skull Creek Solar Plant is currently under development and is projected to begin commercial operation by May 2027, contributing to Texas’ growing renewable energy capacity and supporting Meta’s sustainability objectives.
The PPA agreement outlines that Meta will purchase a portion of the plant’s output for a substantial duration, providing crucial revenue certainty for the project’s financing and construction. This long-term commitment is a key element in facilitating the development of large-scale renewable energy projects and demonstrates a growing trend of corporate investment in clean energy solutions. The Skull Creek Solar Plant’s development is strategically timed to capitalize on the abundant solar resources available within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region, known for its low wholesale costs and high solar irradiance.
This latest PPA brings the total contracted renewable energy capacity between Zelestra and Meta to approximately 1.2 GWdc across seven solar projects scheduled for operational readiness by 2028. Notably, two of these projects commenced construction in late 2025, with the remaining projects slated to begin construction in 2026. The 81 MWdc Jasper County Solar Project in Indiana, also part of the Meta partnership, recently achieved full commercial operation, representing the first project within the collaboration to reach this milestone. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the partnership and the potential for significant renewable energy generation.
Phil North, Zelestra’s U.S. CEO, emphasized the momentum of the company’s clean-power collaboration with Meta, stating that the expanded PPA portfolio underscores the role Zelestra plays in enabling nearly 1.2 GWdc of new solar generation in the U.S. over the coming years. North also highlighted that this partnership aligns with Zelestra’s strategic focus on delivering innovative renewable energy solutions tailored to the specific needs of hyperscale corporate energy buyers. This strategic alignment is a key driver of Zelestra’s growth and its ability to meet the increasing demand for clean energy solutions from major corporations.
The Skull Creek agreement is part of a broader shift towards corporate procurement of large-scale renewable energy in the U.S., particularly within the ERCOT region. This trend is fueled by the region’s favorable conditions for solar development, including low wholesale costs and high solar resource availability. Meta’s commitment to renewable energy builds upon its existing partnerships with other developers, including PPAs for additional solar capacity and environmental attribute agreements, such as the 1000 Mile Solar project in Texas’ Yoakum County. These partnerships demonstrate Meta’s long-term commitment to decarbonizing its operations through renewable energy procurement.
Zelestra has been actively expanding its footprint in the U.S. market, with a broader pipeline of approximately 15 GW of renewable energy projects under development across key states. This pipeline encompasses a diverse range of projects, including solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hybrid solutions. This expansion is primarily supported by investments from major investment funds, reflecting the growing confidence in Zelestra’s business model and the increasing demand for clean energy solutions.
The growth of Zelestra’s renewable energy portfolio reflects the rising demand for corporate clean-energy procurement aimed at achieving grid decarbonization goals. As companies increasingly prioritize sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint, the demand for large-scale renewable energy projects is expected to continue to grow. Zelestra’s strategic partnerships with companies like Meta position the company to capitalize on this growing demand and play a key role in accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy future.
The collaboration between Meta and Zelestra serves as a powerful example of how corporate investment in renewable energy can drive significant progress towards decarbonization goals. This partnership not only expands renewable energy capacity but also provides a model for other corporations seeking to procure clean energy solutions. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, collaborations like this will be essential in accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy system and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
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