US paper and packaging company WestRock Co (WRK) has opened the 230-MW Bernard Creek solar farm in Wharton County, Texas, one of two solar projects developed by Engie North America and contracted by the company. The facility will produce about 500,000 MWh of clean electricity annually and generate over USD 45 million in revenue for the county. Some 207 MW of its total capacity has been contracted by WestRock. In November 2023, WestRock signed two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) to procure 282 MW of solar energy from new projects in the state developed by the Engie subsidiary, Bernard Creek and the 350-MW Chillingham Solar site. These agreements support WestRock’s strategy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
