Black & Veatch Completes Mitsui’s First U.S. Utility-Scale Solar Project
Black & Veatch has announced the successful completion of the Three W Solar project, a 150 MWdc, or 110 MWac, utility-scale solar generation facility developed for Mitsui & Co., Ltd. The project, located near Hillsboro, Texas, marks Mitsui’s first utility-scale solar project in the United States and represents a significant step in the company’s renewable energy strategy.
The facility has achieved substantial completion and received approval from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), satisfying the final requirement needed for the project to connect to the Texas power grid. With the ERCOT approval secured, the project can proceed with final turnover to Mitsui’s operations and maintenance organization.
Spanning approximately 875 acres, Three W Solar is designed to provide enough electricity to potentially power as many as 45,000 homes. Black & Veatch served as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, providing turnkey delivery of the solar generation facility along with the associated collector substation infrastructure.
The project represents an important milestone for both companies as demand for new electricity generation continues to influence investment decisions across the U.S. energy sector. Texas, in particular, has experienced significant growth in electricity demand and renewable generation, creating opportunities for large-scale solar developments capable of supplying additional power to the grid.
“Energy diversification is becoming increasingly important as organizations position themselves for future growth and evolving power needs,” said Narsingh Chaudhary, president of Fuels & Natural Resources for Black & Veatch. “We are proud to support Mitsui’s energy strategy through the successful delivery of Three W Solar, a project that strengthens its energy portfolio and contributes to Texas’ growing generation capacity.”
Black & Veatch and Mitsui worked closely throughout the project lifecycle, with project management and construction activities beginning in 2024. The teams successfully completed a series of major construction and commissioning milestones required to bring the facility toward grid connection and commercial operation.
Among the key accomplishments were the installation of all racking piles, delivery and installation of the generator step-up transformer, completion of commissioning activities and receipt of the necessary ERCOT approvals. Together, these milestones enabled the facility to reach substantial completion and advance toward final operational turnover.
The generator step-up transformer is a critical component of the project’s electrical infrastructure, allowing electricity generated by the solar facility to be transformed to an appropriate voltage for transmission into the wider power system. Its installation and subsequent commissioning represented important stages in preparing the facility for grid interconnection.
For Mitsui, the completion of Three W Solar expands its participation in the U.S. renewable energy market while providing an additional asset within its broader energy portfolio. The company has been pursuing opportunities across the energy sector as power markets evolve and organizations seek to address changing electricity requirements.
“Achieving this milestone means a more resilient power grid for communities in Texas and we are proud to be part of the next stage of renewable energy in the region,” said Senior Vice President and Divisional Operating Officer Shinya Umehara of MITSUI & CO. (U.S.A.) INC. “This represents a commitment to the communities in Texas looking at the future energy demands and the innovative response to the needs these demands present. We are thankful for Black & Veatch’s expertise and support throughout the entire project lifecycle.”
The Three W Solar project also highlights the role of large-scale renewable generation in the continued development of Texas’ electricity infrastructure. Utility-scale solar facilities can add new generating capacity while supporting the diversification of the resources available to power markets. As electricity consumption changes across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, new generation projects are becoming an increasingly important component of long-term energy planning.
For Black & Veatch, the project further demonstrates its capabilities in delivering comprehensive EPC solutions for renewable energy infrastructure. The company’s responsibilities on Three W Solar included engineering, procurement, construction and delivery of the associated electrical infrastructure needed to connect the facility to the power grid.
The successful completion also strengthens the relationship between Black & Veatch and Mitsui, creating a foundation for potential collaboration on future energy infrastructure initiatives. The companies’ work together on Three W Solar involved coordinating engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and grid-connection requirements throughout the project.
As utilities, developers and industrial organizations continue evaluating generation resources to meet evolving power requirements, utility-scale solar projects are becoming an increasingly visible part of the U.S. electricity landscape. Projects such as Three W Solar can contribute additional generation capacity while supporting broader efforts to diversify energy portfolios.
“Three W Solar demonstrates how strategic investment in renewable generation can create long-term value for both energy providers and the communities they serve,” said Arron Lewis, renewables solution leader for Black & Veatch. “We are proud to have partnered with Mitsui to deliver its first U.S. utility scale solar project, combining together engineering, procurement and construction expertise to help bring reliable, renewable energy to the Texas market.”
With substantial completion achieved and ERCOT approval secured, Three W Solar has reached a major operational milestone. The final turnover to Mitsui’s operations and maintenance organization will transition the facility into its next phase, allowing the solar generation asset to become part of Mitsui’s U.S. renewable energy portfolio.
The completion of the 150 MWdc facility underscores the continued development of utility-scale solar generation in Texas and demonstrates how engineering and construction expertise can support the delivery of large renewable energy assets. For Mitsui, the project establishes a significant presence in U.S. utility-scale solar, while for Black & Veatch, it adds another completed renewable energy project to its portfolio of energy infrastructure work.
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