In a statement, Gerdau said the project is part of a new, 20-year power purchase agreement with 174 Power Global, a solar energy supplier. The solar farm they will build will generate 80 megawatts and will be comprised of more than 231,000 solar panels, Gerdau said. 

“Gerdau has a culture of sustainability,” said Gerdau Long Steel North America president Chia Yuan Wang. “The products from our Midlothian facility are already made from 100% recycled scrap metal. Developing and utilizing green energy is an innovative way to further enhance our environmental contributions.”

Construction on the solar farm is to start by the end of this year and be completed at the end of 2021. 

“174 Power Global is pleased to enter into this partnership with Gerdau, one of the world’s most environmentally responsible steel producers, as we continue to develop our solar generation footprint and behind-the-meter projects in Texas,” said 174 Power Global President Henry Yun. “We look forward to breaking ground on the construction of this important and innovative project and continuing to provide clean energy solutions to the state.”