Smurfit Westrock Celebrates Energy and Community Investment in Wharton County with ENGIE

Officials from Smurfit Westrock and Wharton County today joined ENGIE and several of its landowners to dedicate the Bernard Creek Solar Project. With nearly 570,000 solar panels on roughly 1,620 acres, the project is capable of producing 230 megawatts (MW) of energy.  In keeping with the area’s agricultural heritage, hundreds of cattle, horses, and other animals graze around the site.

Along with the electricity produced, Bernard Creek will be generating significant economic benefits locally for decades to come. Lease payments to landowners, approximately 300 jobs during construction, four long-term jobs to manage the facility, numerous purchases of local goods and services, $50 million in new tax and other revenue to Wharton County, local organizations, and the East Bernard Independent School District in support of students, teachers, and educational projects are all cemented as a result of the Bernard Creek Solar Project. 

“We’re glad to be here in Wharton County and want to thank all who joined us today for their support in making the Bernard Creek Solar Project a reality,” said Caroline Mead, ENGIE Senior Vice President, Power Marketing and Commercial Strategy. “Bernard Creek underscores ENGIE’s objectives both to enhance domestic energy production and affordability in Texas as power demand continues to grow while enabling our customer and the local community where we’re investing and operating over the long term to prosper.”

“As the need for energy continues to increase in Texas, I am pleased that Wharton County can be a part of the solution, leveraging solar in an all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said Wharton County Commissioner Bud Graves. “ENGIE’s investment in Wharton County better positions our region, and our state, to drive progress and positively contribute to our quality of life today and well into the future.” 

ENGIE customer Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, is partnering with ENGIE on the Bernard Creek Solar Project in support of its sustainability goals via a renewable power purchase agreement.

"ENGIE’s mission to balance impact on business with impact on people and the planet dovetails with our own aims at Smurfit Westrock and our belief that sustainable business is good business,” said Garrett Quinn, Chief Sustainability Officer, Smurfit Westrock. “We appreciate this opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment to support local communities, increase production of renewable energy and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” 

In addition to a brief speaking program, concluding with two $7,500 donations to the East Bernard and Hungerford Volunteer Fire Departments, attendees enjoyed lunch catered by Vincek’s Smokehouse before a guided tour by ENGIE staff to learn more about the operation of the Bernard Creek facility.

 

About ENGIE in Texas
ENGIE has been conducting business and investing in Texas for 40 years and employs approximately 900 people in the state. Our headquarters are in Houston, and today, we have wind, solar, and battery storage projects across Texas that account for more than 7.5 gigawatts of clean energy in operation, under construction, or in development and an investment of more than $7 billion in the Lone Star State.


Contact: Julie Vitek
julie.vitek@engie.com or 617 593 2122