Article by Macy Meinhardt published on Wed, August 5, 2026 on Yahoo!News

A $200 million large-scale solar farm in East Texas is slated for construction early next year, taking over 2,000 acres of rural land that will be used to bolster the state’s power grid.

The Greenridge Energy Project, owned by California-based Pathway Power LLC, will be built in Marion County, south of Avinger and east of Johnson Creek Reservoir. The project will generate 150 megawatts of solar power and battery storage, equivalent to producing power for up to 30,000 homes.

The project comes as Texas faces mounting pressure to expand its electricity supply amid rapid population growth, the rise of energy-intensive data centers and increasing demand on the state’s power grid.

Reliable power for ‘when Texans need it most’

The Greenridge Energy Project will feature thousands of ground-mounted solar panels that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity for homes and businesses.

The property currently consists of about 30 percent active timberland, and the remaining 70 percent is unused, though project officials noted that the land is often used for hunting and recreation by residents. Chron reached out to project officials for additional details on whether trees will be removed as part of construction.

The project will include a battery storage facility to store extra electricity when production is high. The power stored can then be released later during periods of heavy demand, helping keep the electric grid running more reliably.

Such systems “are best to help prevent blackouts by storing energy when demand is low and releasing it when there is a peak time; it can really help when Texans need it most,” said Pathway Power Director of Development Carly Keatts during a Marion County Commissioner court meeting.

The solar farm would connect to the Southwest Power Pool, a regional grid transmission that encompasses Marion County.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity generated from solar is on track to surpass coal-fired generation nationwide for the first time in 2026. As electricity demand continues to climb, Texas has emerged as a hub for new solar development. The agency projects the state will account for roughly 40% of all new solar capacity added in the U.S. this year.

Meanwhile, Pathway Power is seeking tax abatements from Marion County to reduce property tax costs associated with the project. Chron has reached out to Marion County Commissioners Court for additional details on the status of the request.

Construction is expected to bring around 250 jobs to the area for a 12-to15-month period once the project breaks ground in early 2027. The farm is expected to be complete by mid to late 2028, according to officials.

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