WHARTON COUNTY, Texas, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OCI Energy, Arava Power and project partners today took part in the groundbreaking of the 347 MWdc SunRoper Solar project, celebrating the start of construction on a major new solar facility in Wharton County, Texas.
Expected to begin operations in December 2027, the solar project will provide electricity to a Fortune 100 company under a long-term power purchase agreement. Located near the Houston metropolitan area, one of the largest electricity demand centers in the United States, SunRoper will add significant new generating capacity to support the region’s growing power needs.
Company leaders, project partners, and landowners gathered to mark the occasion which represents a significant investment in Texas’ energy future.
“SunRoper demonstrates how strategic partnerships can help meet Texas’ growing demand for electricity through investments in critical energy infrastructure,” said Sabah Bayatli, President, OCI Energy. “Today’s groundbreaking also marks the beginning of an important new chapter for the partnership between OCI Energy and Arava Power and reflects the strength of collaboration across development, financing, construction and energy procurement.”
SunRoper brings together leading organizations from across the energy industry. The project is being jointly developed by OCI Energy and Arava Power, financed by ING, and constructed by WHC.
“SunRoper represents another important step in Arava Power’s evolution from a pioneer of Israel’s solar market into a growing international renewable energy platform. Our collaboration with OCI Energy has been instrumental in advancing this project and reflects the kind of strong local partnership that supports our long-term growth in the U.S. market,” said Ilan Zidkony, CEO of Arava Power. “SunRoper reflects our focus on building high-quality, long-term renewable energy assets through disciplined execution, while further strengthening Arava Power’s presence in the United States.”
“SunRoper demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced partners come together with a shared commitment to advancing critical energy infrastructure,” said Sven Wellock, Head of Renewables & Power at ING Capital LLC. “ING is proud to support OCI Energy and Arava Power, whose vision, leadership and collaborative approach have been instrumental in transforming this project from concept to reality. We congratulate both teams on this significant milestone.”
“WHC is proud to serve as EPC contractor on the SunRoper Solar project, bringing our construction expertise to bear on a facility that will deliver meaningful power to the Houston region. This groundbreaking reflects months of careful planning and coordination with OCI Energy, Arava Power and our project partners, and we look forward to executing a safe, high-quality build through to completion in 2027,” said Randel Badeaux, President of Power, North America for WHC.
The official groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from representatives of OCI Energy, Arava Power, ING, and WHC, followed by a ceremonial shovel turn.
Once operational, SunRoper will contribute significant new generation capacity to the ERCOT market while supporting economic activity in the region during construction and throughout the project’s operating life.
About OCI Energy
OCI Energy is a U.S.-based developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects, with a track record of delivering some of Texas’ earliest large-scale solar developments. Since 2012, the company has advanced a growing portfolio of projects across key U.S. power markets, spanning the full lifecycle from early-stage development through asset management. With a multi-gigawatt pipeline and continued expansion underway, OCI Energy is helping meet rising energy demand with reliable, secure, and affordable power that supports communities and strengthens the grid.
About Arava Power
Arava Power is an Israeli utility-scale renewables developer and independent power producer (IPP) that pioneered the Israeli utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) market in 2007. The company develops, owns, and operates a multi-gigawatt portfolio of solar energy and energy storage assets in Israel and the USA. Arava Power is committed to delivering clean, sustainable energy solutions and has been at the forefront of the energy transition, contributing significantly to the renewable energy landscape.
Media Contacts:
Leslie Garza-Wright, Director of Communications, OCI Enterprises Inc.
lgwright@ocienterprises.com, 210-612-4978
Merav Parsi-Communications & Public Relations Consultant, Arava Power
merav@mkds.co.il, 972-50-5567707
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SOURCE OCI Energy
