CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Flint Hills Resources is going solar.
The company is embarking on a $53 million project that will help power its west refinery by putting a major solar installation across from the site at I-37, between Rand Morgan and Clarkwood Roads.
The company said this is the first solar project in Texas to provide electricity directly to an oil refinery.
"It's 56,700 panels that will be built here," spokesperson Kara Rivas said.
The project site is located on the opposite side of I-37 from the west refinery on 100 acres of Flint Hills owned property.
The company released a rendering of what the installation will look like when completed.
"A third of the refineries power needs are going to be fulfilled with this project meaning we are not going to be taking electricity from the grid," Rivas said.
To put it into perspective, it's enough electricity to power more than 5,100 homes per year.
The project is believed to be the second-largest utility scale solar complex in the Corpus Christi area but the first solar project in Texas to provide onsite, self generated electricity directly to an oil refinery.
"We process about 14.7 million gallons of crude oil every day," she said.
Flint Hills produces jet fuel, ultra-low sulfur diesel and gasoline, in addition to the chemical building blocks used in everyday products.
"Our company places a big emphasis on innovation and we are always seeking ways to improve and that is what this project is all about," she said.
The site of the solar installation sits next to the Solar Estates Neighborhood in Annaville. Rivas said residents can expect little impact.
"After construction we don't expect a lot of loud noises, there won't be any air emissions affiliated with this and not a lot of traffic," she said.
The solar farm will be the refinery's second source of on site power generation.
The refinery also operates a Combined Heat and Power system which provides about 30 megawatts of electricity.
Scottsdale, Arizona based DEPCOM Power has been selected as the construction contractor for the solar project.
Construction will start up in the coming weeks, and will be completed by fall 2025.