Hidalgo county: Terra-Gen, a major renewable energy producer in the United States, jointly owned by Masdar and Igneo Infrastructure Partners, has announced the commissioning of the Monte Cristo I Windpower Project. The 238.5-megawatt facility, situated in Hidalgo County, Texas, is set to produce over 850 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, which is enough to power around 81,000 homes each year. The facility's capacity has been secured by two corporate buyers through long-term power purchase agreements.
According to Emirates News Agency, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site marked this significant milestone, attended by company representatives, local officials, and community members. John O'Connor, Chief Financial Officer for Terra-Gen, expressed gratitude for the dedication of those involved in the project's completion. He emphasized Terra-Gen's commitment to broadening access to renewable energy across Texas and the U.S., enhancing grid reliability with clean power, and investing in local communities.
The construction of Monte Cristo I Windpower generated roughly 280 jobs at its peak, with over 490,000 hours worked without a lost-time incident. The project also contributed to local infrastructure by upgrading more than 11 miles of Texas Department of Transportation roads and 25 miles of county roads.
Furthermore, the facility is expected to provide substantial long-term economic advantages to the region, including over $100 million in property taxes, landowner payments, and other local contributions throughout its lifespan. Richard F. Cortez, Hidalgo County Judge, welcomed Terra-Gen's investment, highlighting its importance to the community's economic growth and sustainability.
Monte Cristo I Windpower is Terra-Gen's second wind project in Texas, adding to the company's clean energy generation in the state, which now totals 273 MW. Development activities are ongoing for Phase 2 of Monte Cristo Windpower, which has already been permitted.
This project is the first to be completed since Masdar acquired a 50 percent stake in Terra-Gen in 2024, underscoring Masdar's long-term commitment to the U.S. energy transformation and the strategic significance of the market within its global portfolio.