This week on Projects Weekly, Creekstone Energy is setting records in Utah and Origis Energy is beefing up its solar and storage portfolio nationwide. In the funding world, PowerBank Corporation, Primergy, and Arevon are making major moves stateside, and Aypa and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation have secured financing in Ontario, Canada. Cypress Creek and Aspen Power have both made moves in the project M&A realm, and ECA Solar has surpassed the 150 MW mark for its portfolio. Finally, the city of Oceanside, California has been rewarded for its efforts in the renewable energy space. Keep reading for all that and more on this week’s edition of Projects Weekly!

Creekstone Energy secures largest solar lease in Utah history with zoning approval

Utah-based data center development firm Creekstone Energy has set a record, announcing its long-term solar lease with the Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (TLA), the largest of its kind in the history of the state.

Encompassing approximately 13,000 acres of state trust lands in Millard County, the company’s newly gained zoning approval will allow Creekstone to develop more than 1 GW of utility-scale solar capacity over the next year and a half. The lease will support the power demands of the Delta Gigasite, which Creekstone officials say is “one of the largest AI hyperscale data center developments in the western United States.”

“This solar lease is a defining moment for Creekstone and for Utah,” says Creekstone CEO Ray Conley. “We are building more than a data center campus. We are building an energy ecosystem. By pairing over a gigawatt of dedicated solar generation with our hyperscale data center infrastructure, we are positioning the Delta Gigasite at the forefront of the AI revolution while creating lasting economic value for Utah’s schools and communities. This is what responsible development looks like at scale.”

Bright spot: The lease represents a significant milestone for Creekstone, the company says, allowing its co-location strategy to move forward to the tune of more than 10 GW of total capacity in the master-planning state. The revenue generated from the lease will also directly benefit the state’s public school system.

Creekstone COO Chase Sheffield says the combination of leased lands and Millard County’s “proactive” zoning strategies has created a solid development corridor for Utah-based solar companies.

“With 13,000 acres now under lease, we have the land position to build a solar portfolio that materially offsets the power demands of our hyperscale tenants,” Sheffield says. “We expect to begin site preparation and permitting activities immediately, with first solar generation online within the next year.”

PowerBank receives brownfield approvals, $1.9 million for Jordan Rd 1 Solar Project

PowerBank Corp. has secured funding for its 7 MW Jordan Rd 1 community solar project, including approval for building on privately owned brownfield land in Skaneateles Falls, New York.

In total, the project received just under $2 million from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) NY-Sun Program, officials say. PowerBank is eligible for up to $1,576,520 more in funding through NY-Sun incentives, through the program’s Inclusive Community Solar Adder.

Bright spot: The Jordan Rd 1 project is expected to deliver enough capacity to power about 875 homes per year, according to officials. Homeowners will also be able to subscribe to the project to help cut down on bills and save per kWh on the power they consume.

“The project advances New York’s path to 10 GW of solar by 2030,” PowerBank adds. “The state leads the United States in community solar capacity, having achieved the New York State Climate Act 6 GW solar goal in the fall of 2024.”

Avangrid installs panels at Oregon’s Tower Solar project

Avangrid Inc. has announced that it has completed installation of more than 250,000 U.S.-made solar panels at its Tower Solar project, moving it closer to coming online for the Beaver State’s grid.

Assembled in the United States by SEG Solar at its Houston area manufacturing plant, the panels will contribute to the 166 MWdc Tower Solar project. The installation is “a major milestone” for the project, according to Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda, as it “demonstrates how investment in America’s energy infrastructure grid drives economic growth nationwide.”

“Assembling modules in Texas supported U.S. jobs and manufacturing, project construction is building the local workforce,” the CEO says, “and once complete, operations will reinforce the region’s grid with new power to support growing demand.”

Bright spot: Located just west of Boardman, Oregon, the project sits on about 900 acres of industrial land owned by the Port of Morrow. Throughout Tower Solar’s construction, the company has created about 200 construction jobs filled mostly with regional union labor. Now, the project is expected to pay approximately $20 million in property tax and payment in lieu of taxes, which will support public service and education.

“This project reflects our continued commitment to product quality, manufacturing excellence, and building strong partnerships across the U.S. market,” says SEG Solar CEO Jim Wood.

Aypa Power, Six Nations secure funding for Ontario BESS projects

Blackstone portfolio company Aypa Power and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corp. have secured $512 million in aggregate financing for the Elora and Hedley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Ontario, Canada.

Led by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Canada Branch, the funding came to fruition through a syndicate of eight different banks, both domestic and international. The financing package contains not only construction to term loan facilities, but investment tax credit-based bridge loans and letters of credit facilities, the company says.

“This financing reflects the strength of Aypa’s platform and our disciplined approach to developing and executing complex energy infrastructure projects,” says Moe Hajabed, CEO of Aypa Power. “Ontario has long been a core market for Aypa, and we are pleased to advance the Elora and Hedley projects alongside Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corp. to support the long-term resilience of the province’s power system.”

Bright spot: The two projects were awarded to Aypa as part of Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator’s Long-Term 1 (LT1) competitive procurement program, which aims to provide the province with new capacity resources to support the grid. The projects have a combined installed capacity of 422 MW or 1,688 MWh, one of the largest battery storage commitments in the LT1 program.

“These projects reflect our commitment to investing in infrastructure that delivers long-term economic value for our community while contributing to the reliability and sustainability of Ontario’s electricity system,” says Matt Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development.

Arevon closes $920 million in financing for 1.2 GWh energy storage project

Scottsdale, Arizona-based Arevon Energy Inc. has closed a financing package worth $900 million for its 300 MW / 1,200 MWh Nighthawk energy storage project.

Currently under construction in Poway, California, near San Diego, the project is expected to create 130 construction jobs and deliver more than $30 million in property tax payments. The money will go toward schools, infrastructure, and public services.

“Strategically aligning debt, preferred equity, and transferability structures is essential to financing energy storage projects at this scale and profile,” says Denise Tait, chief investment officer at Arevon. “This transaction demonstrates how innovative capital solutions can unlock long-term investment in critical grid infrastructure, even amid evolving market and policy conditions.

“It reflects the strength of our financial partnerships and Arevon’s commitment to delivering durable, long-term value.”

Bright spot: The project will use lithium-ion phosphate batteries to help strengthen the Golden State’s grid during peak demand. Additionally, Nighthawk’s attached long-term agreement will provide resource adequacy capacity to the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to support the state’s future renewable energy goals.

The project team worked closely with officials from the city of Poway. When operational, which is expected this year, the project will be capable of powering 385,000 homes for up to four hours during peak demand periods.

Gemini solar + storage project closes $600 Million bond refinancing

Primergy and Quinbrook have finalized funding for the Gemini Solar + Storage project in Clark County, Nevada.

The 24-year financing note is fully amortizing and “provides long-term stability and eliminates future refinancing risk. Backed by stable cash flow, the 25-year power purchase agreement will help secure Gemini a low spread among renewable project finances across the United States.

Bright spot: Complete with a $160 million letter of credit facility, the financing brings lifetime closed transactions to more than $5 billion for Primergy. Gemini will be the largest co-located single-phase project in the U.S. once completed, consisting of 690 MWac of solar and 380 MWac of BESS storage.

“This milestone refinancing is a definitive vote of confidence in Gemini, in Primergy’s operational capabilities, and in the future of reliable, dispatchable solar energy supporting the American power grid,” says Tim Larrison, Primergy’s CFO. “Gemini has successfully  demonstrated the long-term reliability expected by investors, utilities, and consumers.”

Cypress Creek buys Arkansas solar and storage project from Swift Current Energy

Solar and storage developer Cypress Creek Renewables has purchased the Steel River project in Mississippi County, Arkansas, from Swift Current Energy.

“Steel River reflects the scale of infrastructure required to meet America’s rapidly growing electricity demand,” said Jeffrey Meigel, chief investment officer of Cypress Creek. “Our platform is built to develop, finance, and operate projects of this magnitude. This acquisition marks an important step in strengthening Cypress Creek’s role as a leading energy solutions provider and long-term owner of large-scale U.S. energy infrastructure.”

Bright spot: At 2.45 GW of solar capacity and 2.9 GWh of battery storage, the Steel River project will be one of the largest solar and storage projects in the United States as a whole. The Natural State-based project will double Cypress Creek’s operation and under construction portfolio, bringing it to nearly 7 GW.

Storage has become a necessity for the solar world in recent years, accounting for about 85% of all new U.S. generation capacity in 2025. Cypress Creek says the Arkansas project will be one of the country’s most significant storage investments, with estimated capital costs expected to exceed $4.5 billion.

“Steel River will be one of the largest clean energy facilities in the country, supporting energy affordability and reliability while driving local and national economic growth,” says Eric Lammers, CEO and cofounder of Swift Current Energy. “Swift Current’s sale of this monumental project, our largest to date, sets up our company for continued success and growth.”

Distributed energy generation platform Aspen Power has announced its acquisition of five projects from a community solar portfolio built by Cipriani Energy Group. The project span New York and Illinois and have a total portfolio capacity to just over 51 MWdc.

“Community solar remains one of the most effective tools for expanding access to clean energy while helping customers manage rising energy costs,” says Dan Gulick, EVP of community solar and asset acquisition at Aspen Power. “These projects reflect the type of disciplined development and market fundamentals we look for as we continue to scale our community solar portfolio across key states.”

Bright spot: Once operational, the first five projects are expected to generate about 29 million kWh of electricity during their first year. The projects will be part of the state of New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) program, officials say. The program will entitle subscribers to a discount on utility bills by supporting grid reliability through renewable energy.

“Our focus is on developing and constructing reliable, high-quality community solar projects in markets where they can deliver real long-term value for subscribers, utilities, and host communities,” says Juan Urquidi, co-CEO of Cipriani Energy Group. “Aspen Power’s experience and long-term ownership approach make them a strong partner as these projects advance.”

ECA Solar surpasses 150 MW of “shovel-ready” solar assets across multiple states

Waltham, Massachusetts-based ECA Solar has surpassed 150 MW of fully permitted solar assets that are ready for construction across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The achievement “underscores the strength, scalability, and discipline of ECA’s development platform,” company representatives say. Additionally, the assets reflect the company’s ability to advance projects through its pipeline, moving through developing and permitting to construction.

Todd Fryatt, the company’s founder and CEO, says his firm is focused on project execution to create “mature energy assets.”

“Surpassing 150 MW of assets reflects the discipline of our development strategy and the strength of our partnerships with landowners, communities, and investors,” he says. “Our goal is straightforward: deliver well-positioned projects that provide affordable energy, support local economies, and create long-term value.”

Bright spot: ECA Solar’s current development pipeline totals about 1.3 GW across a number of states, officials say. Outside of project development, the company is committed to community impact via its “Beyond the Grid” initiative, which has helped support local organizations. The company is now expected to contribute over $3 million to local volunteer fire departments and other community organizations.

“Reaching this milestone demonstrates the strength of our development engine and the depth of our pipeline,” says Vincent Moschella, chief development officer at ECA Solar. “Our team has built a repeatable approach that aligns landowner relationships, utility coordination, and regulatory execution into a development process that produces construction-ready assets at scale across multiple markets.”

Oceanside, Calif. wins Smart 20 Award for Energy Infrastructure Upgrade Program

The city of Oceanside, California has won a Smart 20 Award at this year’s Smart Cities Connect Conference, thanks to its citywide Energy Infrastructure Upgrade Program.

The award recognized “standout projects,” according to the city, and this year has highlighted the city’s partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services. The program is projected to save the Californian city an estimated $26 million over its lifetime, officials say, reducing electricity consumption by 4.2 GWh annually.

“Oceanside residents expect us to make smart decisions with public dollars, and this program delivers on that,” says Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “We modernized aging infrastructure, cut energy costs, put local companies to work, and gave students real hands-on learning opportunities — all without adding to the general fund. That’s the kind of government investment that actually improves people’s daily lives — and that’s what we’ll keep working towards.”

Bright spot: In addition to reducing local energy consumption, the project will shave off 157 kW from the city’s peak demand, and cut out more than 2,900 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year. That number is about equal to planting and growing 48,000 trees for a decade, the company says.

“Oceanside’s comprehensive energy infrastructure upgrade demonstrates how cities can transform aging facilities into models of sustainability through a paid-from-savings approach,” says Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “This award-winning initiative stands out for the overarching community engagement benefits that are anchored in the City’s priorities to combine fiscal responsibility, environmental leadership, and community investment to create lasting, replicable change.”

The program has also helped to strengthen local workforce development through a local contractor outreach fair and hiring a CivicSpark Fellow to work on Oceanside’s Climate Action Plan.

Ashtrom closes on $200 million for San Antonio project

Independent power producer and renewable energy developer Ashtrom Renewable Energy has announced the signing of a $200 million financing agreement for a new solar project near San Antonio, Texas.

The new project, known as El Patrimonio, began construction in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once operational, the project is set to supply electricity to about 37,000 households, reducing 170 tons of carbon emissions every year.

“The completion of the financial close for this project represents an important milestone in the company’s activity in the United States,” says Yitsik Mermelstein, CEO of Ashtrom. “This agreement demonstrates the confidence in leading financial institutions in Ashtrom Group’s ability to expand and deepen its presence in the renewable energy market in the U.S. as we continue to position our company as a leading player in the renewable energy sector.”

Bright spot: The company will be able to sell about 70% of the power generated by the new project, along with other renewable energy certificates. The remaining electricity will be on offer to the state of Texas’s open electricity market, meant to help with cost efficiency for local consumers.

Gil Karni, CEO of BHI, the U.S. Branch of Bank Hapoalim, says the renewable energy sector is “a long-term pillar of BHI’s growth strategy.”

“BHI has made a deliberate commitment to building a specialized team backed by deep sector expertise, strong capital capacity and a clear strategic mandate to help support the ongoing growth and scaling of this industry,” he says, “and we plan on continuing to work both with Israeli-affiliated borrowers as well as a broad cross section of influential renewable energy developers from across the world to fast-track these crucial projects.”

Origis Energy surpasses 2 GW operating capacity with new projects nationwide

American renewable energy platform Origis Energy has surpassed 2 GW of capacity nationwide, reaching more than 2.3 GW in solar and battery storage across 13 projects in six states.

The past two years have marked a “transformative growth plan” for Origis in its quest to become a leading developer, owner, and operator for solar and storage. Now, the company says that even higher heights are in its sights.

“This is an exciting time at Origis. 3 GW operating capacity is within our sights, and it will mark an important milestone in our ambitious plans,” says Vikas Anand, the CEO of Origis Energy. “We have delivered growth and financial performance amid a volatile external environment by keeping a steady focus on our customers and by sharpening execution and capital deployment.”

Bright spot: Looking ahead, the company is working to advance its portfolio of more than 20 GW. The firm has recently signed new long-term offtake agreements with tech giants like Meta and other firms including Pioneer Community Energy.

“We are witnessing unprecedented electricity demand growth from AI innovation, manufacturing, and electrification,” says Anand. “Customers want partners with a proven record of performance and execution.”

Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar, project, Projects Weekly, Residential Solar, utility-scale