Solar project slated for S. Young County

A Fort Worth-based company called Titus Low Carbon Ventures told County Commissioners that it acquired surface leases for 2,200 acres in southwestern Young County to build a solar panel farm to supply power to the Metroplex.

Jeff Ferguson, president of Titus, said the company plans to begin construction on the Tapaderos Project near Eliasville sometime in 2027 after it completes the regulatory process required by the Texas Public Utility Commission. If all goes as expected, the plant will begin operating in 2028, he said.

The company estimated it will make a capital investment of at least $264.6 million. Titus LCV eventually will submit a formal request for a tax abatement from the County, he said.

When completed, the project will generate 300 megawatts with a 200-megawatt onsite battery energy storage system, he said. The company likely will source the solar panels domestically, and expect them to have a life expectancy of 40 years, he said.

Mr. Ferguson said the project would provide temporary construction jobs plus seven full-time jobs that pay between $60,000 and $80,000. He said he expects the fulltime employees to live in Young County.

The company obtained a 30-year lease agreement with two 10year extensions and a five-year option period, he said.

County Judge Win Graham noted that he will abstain from voting on issues pertaining to the solar plant because his family owns a significant portion of the minerals underneath the planned solar farm and has signed a surface waiver with Titus LCV. “I just want that to be known that I do have a conflict on this,” he said.