Building on Texas momentum, EDPR NA inaugurates Azalea Springs Solar near Lufkin

Deep in East Texas, a new source of energy is taking root. EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) officially dedicated Azalea Springs Solar, with local community members, dignitaries and partners present to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 10. 

Azalea Springs Solar is the first project of its kind for Angelina County, and it’s significant. The 180-megawatt solar project will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 27,800 Texas homes each year and is returning more than $75 million in local impact and affordable, resilient energy to East Texas. 

EDPR NA’s own Texas roots go back to 2007, and since then, the Houston-based company has developed more than 1,600 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in Texas, reflecting an economic impact of more than $277 million across the state. Every project creates local jobs, generates local tax revenue, and benefits local schools and services.

 “Azalea Springs Solar demonstrates the powerful role energy infrastructure can play in building stronger, more resilient communities,” said Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDPR NA. “This project stands as an example of clean energy in action—strengthening Texas’ grid with reliable, domestic power while driving economic growth across Angelina County and the entire region.” 

“We are very grateful to the Lufkin community to allow us to be here, and for all the partnership and cooperation,” she said at the ceremony. “We will continue to keep the partnership robust and do our best here to support the community’s needs.” 

Empowering local schools 

For Central Independent School District (Central ISD), Azalea Springs Solar delivers more than clean power. As Central ISD Superintendent Justin Risner noted at the ribbon-cutting, it can be difficult to recruit and retain teaching staff—so Central ISD leveraged tax dollars from Azalea Springs Solar to create a highly sought-after staff benefit: onsite daycare. 

“We have 42 babies in that daycare now,” Risner said. “We have an almost 100% retention rate on our teachers and our staff. It's huge to be able to drop your baby off and then go to work in a building right next door.” “This project not only impacted this part of our school district but has impacted our whole district and county,” he continued. “We are blessed to have this project in our school district. I'm proud to know that EDP is beside me in this. Their willingness to serve our students and meet their needs has gone way above expectations.” 

EDPR NA has also donated back-to-school backpacks and money for new cheerleading mats, an updated gymnasium scoreboard, and a new logo on the school water tower. 

American-made, Texas-style solar 

The Azalea Springs project utilizes U.S.-made solar panels from QCells, as well as solar panels from Boviet Solar. The array was built on an innovative ground-mounted solar tracking system from Nextracker using locally sourced steel from Texas. During construction, overseen by PCL, the project created 250 jobs. 

“This project is an example of how American-manufactured energy is delivering affordable, reliable, secure power to Texas,” said Chris Hodrick, CEO of QCells EPC. “This is energy you can trust from start to finish, because you know exactly where the power came from and where it is going.” 

EDPR NA continues to gain momentum in Texas, where it now operates six utility-scale projects. In addition to Azalea Springs Solar, EDPR NA's portfolio includes the 386-MW  Lone Star Wind Farm, 300-MW  Los Mirasoles Wind Farm, 209-MW Reloj Del Sol Wind Farm, 175-MW Wildcat Creek Wind Farm, and 390-MW Cattlemen Solar Park. Collectively, these projects generate enough electricity to power 320,000 average Texas homes each year. 

“Texas is proof that a more diverse grid is not only manageable but more reliable and affordable,” agreed American Clean Power Chief Policy Officer JC Sandberg. “EDPR NA is helping the state lead the way.” 

By the numbers 

As of 2025, EDPR NA projects in Texas have delivered: 

• $166 million spent within Texas on goods and services
• $123.4 million paid to local governments for schools, infrastructure, and community services
• $88.4 million in revenue for local governments
• $64 million to local landowners through lease agreements
• 1,700 construction jobs and 96 permanent jobs statewide