Apex updates Gonzales County on Starling solar-plus-storage project; offtake and tax abatement remain barriers
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Summary
Apex Clean Energy told the commissioners the Starling project remains a 144 MW solar array with a 60–72 MW battery component, with full site control and Phase I environmental clearance but no power-purchase agreement or tax-abatement in place; company representatives said they are actively marketing the project and estimating conservative commercial operation in mid-2027.
Apex Clean Energy representatives briefed the Gonzales County Commissioners Court on the status of the Starling solar and battery-storage project, describing it as a 144-megawatt solar development with an accompanying 60–72 megawatt battery-storage component.
Company representative Barrett Thomas said Apex has 100% site control and has filed into the ERCOT interconnection queue and is coordinating with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Thomas said a Phase I environmental assessment had few issues and that minerals and surface rights appear clear. He said the project’s congestion profile is favorable and that the county-area grid would see reduced curtailment if the project proceeds.
Thomas, who identified himself as local to nearby Eagle Lake, told commissioners the major remaining barriers are market and financing: Apex has not yet secured an offtake agreement or tax-equity investors and previously beneficial tax-abatement incentives have expired. He cited the absence of a county 3.12/3.13 tax-abatement agreement as a competitive disadvantage in marketing the project to potential buyers and investors.
Apex said it has renewed leases with landowners to retain site viability and has spent several million dollars to extend electrical infrastructure, including a substation deeded to LCRA and prepared for tie-in. The company is pursuing proposals with utilities and large corporate buyers, including a request for proposals to Austin Energy and outreach to major commercial offtakers.
Thomas estimated a conservative commercial operations date in May 2027, but emphasized that timing depends on securing a power-purchase agreement and tax-equity financing. He answered commissioners’ questions about fire marshal coordination and safety protocols for battery installations, saying Apex will work with county safety personnel as the project advances.
The presentation was informational; no formal court action was taken on the project during the meeting.
