Sempra Invests To Keep Its Lights On In Texas

    Sempra enters MoU with Entergy Texas to develop renewable energy generation resources and to increase the resiliency of power supply in southeast Texas.

    Sempra HQ (Image Courtesy Of Sempra)

    The Texas power grid continues to make headlines. As record temperatures blanketed the Lone Star State this summer, rolling blackouts meandered its borders. Officials across the state urged citizens across to prepare for the worst, citing the winter storm of 2021, which left millions without power for several days, as an example of what could happen when the power grid fails again.

    As more companies are calling Texas home, businesses are taking it upon themselves to protect their facilities by making their own investments in the power grid. The latest to do so is Sempra Infrastructure (Sempra).

    Sempra develops, builds, and operates, liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, and has made considerable investments in southeast Texas. The company is currently developing the Port Arthur LNG project in Jefferson County, Texas. Phase 1 of the Port Arthur LNG project is permitted and expected to include two natural gas liquefaction trains and LNG storage tanks, as well as associated facilities capable of producing up to 13.5 MTPA of LNG. A similarly sized Phase 2 project is also under active marketing and development.

    Sempco Infrastructure President Of LNG and Net-Zero Solutions Martin Hupka (Left) And Sempra Infrastructure President And CEO Eliecer Viamontes (Right)

    In addition, Sempra is developing the proposed Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector, which would transport and provide natural gas to the proposed Port Arthur LNG project and is exploring additional opportunities to co-locate lower-carbon hydrogen production and storage at or near its other facilities.

    To help ensure that power remains reliable in southeast Texas, Sempra entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Entergy Texas to develop options designed to accelerate the deployment of new renewable energy generation resources and to increase the resiliency of the power supply there.

    The non-binding MOU sets forth a framework for Entergy Texas and Sempra to collaborate on developing a renewable electricity plan, including an implementation schedule for renewable energy procurement, that would supply Sempra affiliated facilities within the Entergy service area in Southeast Texas.

    Entergy Texas, a subsidiary of Entergy Corp., provides electricity to more than 486,000 customers in 27 counties. This MoU is the latest move by Entergy Texas to improve its infrastructure. The company plans to invest more than US$2.5 billion by the end of 2024 to “build a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy future for southeast Texas.”

    Last year, Entergy Texas filed a request for approval of the Orange County Advanced Power Station, a 1215-MW, dual-fuel combined cycle power facility that will have the capability to use a combination of natural gas and hydrogen.

    The proposed Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project in Jefferson County, Texas, is expected to include two natural gas liquefaction trains and LNG storage tanks.

    Entergy Texas has also entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Umbriel Solar for 150 MW of solar. The facility will be in Polk County, Texas, and is expected to be operational beginning in 2024. Entergy Texas is evaluating additional solar resources that would provide economical, clean energy for customers, with plans to reach more than 500 MW by 2025 and more by 2030. These resources will increase the diversity of Entergy Texas’ power generation portfolio.