Atrisco Solar and Energy Storage Project Achieves Financial Close

(Credit: CGP Grey)

Enlight Renewable Energy Achieves Financial Close for Energy Storage Portion of Atrisco Project

Enlight Renewable Energy has closed financing for the energy storage portion of its Atrisco Solar and Energy Storage project, located outside Albuquerque, N.M.

Project Overview

The project, spread across 1,700 acres, contains 364 MW of solar generation capacity and 1.2 GWh of battery storage. Costing $827 million to build, it is set to be financed by $290 million of term debt and $420 million of tax equity, with Enlight’s long-term equity investment amounting to $117 million.

Financing Structure

As part of the close, Enlight through its subsidiary, Clenera Holdings, entered into a loan agreement with a consortium of eight banks led by HSBC, totaling $401 million to finance project construction. The loan will convert into a $185 million term loan from the same group of lenders and tax equity financing of $222 million provided by U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance upon the project’s COD.

Term Loan Details

The term loan is structured with a 20-year underlying amortization profile with a five-year mini perm, and is subject to an all-in interest rate.

Tax Equity and Brownfield Addition

Tax equity was provided by Bank of America. The project’s tax equity financing qualified for the Energy Community IRA adder due to a brownfield addition to the project.

Project Construction and Partnerships

Project construction was led by RES, and the battery energy storage system provided by Tesla. Atrisco has signed a 20-year busbar PPA agreement with Public Service Company of New Mexico covering both electricity production and energy storage.

CEO’s Comment

“The Atrisco complex is Enlight’s flagship project in the United States, and today’s financial close is another important step in the completion of this project,” says Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight.

“We look forward to the phased COD of Atrisco, expected to begin during this quarter, in which years of effort will finally come to fruition. Enlight is embarking on an ambitious and rapid growth plan in the U.S., which is set to become a major market for us in the coming years, complementing the large and growing capacity footprint we have built up in MENA and Europe. Atrisco represents another step of this major expansion.”

Project Timeline

The project is currently in the commissioning phase leading up to partial COD, and is expected to reach full COD later this year.

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Conclusion

The financial close of the energy storage portion of the Atrisco Solar and Energy Storage project marks a significant milestone for Enlight Renewable Energy. With its ambitious growth plans in the U.S. market, the company is poised to become a major player in the region.

FAQs

Q: What is the size of the Atrisco Solar and Energy Storage project?
A: The project covers 1,700 acres and contains 364 MW of solar generation capacity and 1.2 GWh of battery storage.

Q: What is the cost of the project?
A: The project costs $827 million to build.

Q: Who is providing the financing for the project?
A: The project is being financed by $290 million of term debt and $420 million of tax equity, with Enlight’s long-term equity investment amounting to $117 million.

Q: Who is leading the project construction?
A: Project construction is being led by RES, and the battery energy storage system is being provided by Tesla.

Q: What is the timeline for the project’s commercial operation date (COD)?
A: The project is expected to reach full COD later this year.