80-Megawatt Behind-The-Meter Facility to Include More Than 231,000 Solar Panels

Expected to Commence Commercial Operation by Next Summer

174 Power Global, a leading solar energy company, Gerdau Long Steel North America (Gerdau), a leading steel producer, and TotalEnergies, a broad energy company, today announced the beginning of construction of the Midlothian, Texas Gerdau Solar project, one of the largest behind-the-meter (BTM) solar facilities in the U.S.

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The 700-acre site, directly adjacent to the Gerdau Midlothian Steel Mill, is comprised of more than 231,000 solar panels and Gerdau’s industry-leading solar beam pilings. The Gerdau Solar project will provide reliable, green power to the Midlothian steel mill, and offset the emissions of more than 13,000 average Texas households. The project will create more than 200 construction jobs and provide numerous benefits to the local community, including generating an estimated $19 million in tax revenue over the next 30 years. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by the summer of 2023.

Gerdau and 174 Power Global previously signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) agreement for the power generated at the facility, and TotalEnergies is actively participating in the development of the project through a 50/50 joint venture agreement with 174 Power Global.

“Breaking ground at the Gerdau Solar project is an important milestone that expands our solar footprint and brings us one step closer to generating more clean power for Texas,” said 174 Power Global President Henry Yun, PhD. “We are pleased to partner with Gerdau and TotalEnergies as we start construction on one of the largest BTM solar facilities in the nation that will provide environmental and economic benefits to Midlothian.”

“Sustainability is core to Gerdau and our Midlothian facility, and we look forward to using the green energy generated by the Gerdau Solar project to reduce our environmental footprint and bring long-lasting economic benefits to Midlothian,” said Gerdau Long Steel North America President Chia Yuan Wang.

“TotalEnergies is proud to partner with 174 Power Global and Gerdau on one of the largest behind-the-meter solar plant in the U.S. This groundbreaking ceremony is a concrete proof of our common will to bring the energy transition to reality,” said Marc-Antoine Pignon, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Renewables USA. “This project represents our Company’s commitment to continued expansion in the U.S. utility-scale solar market and supports our ambition to achieve multiple gigawatts of gross renewables production capacity in the U.S. by 2025.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday afternoon, followed by a reception at Blaine Stone Lodge. Representatives from Midlothian City Council, including Mayor Richard Reno and Councilmember Justin Coffman, and Senator Bryan Hughes Office were in attendance, among others.

About 174 Power Global

174 Power Global is a leading solar and energy storage company that is wholly owned by the Hanwha Group, with offices in NYC and in California. With deep expertise across the full spectrum of the project development cycle, 174 Power Global works closely with utilities, landowners, local communities, financial investors, and other partners to build highly productive, utility scale and C&I solar power plants throughout North America. Since its formation in 2017, 174 Power Global has signed nearly 2 gigawatts (GW) of power purchase agreements and has more than 6 GW of additional projects in the development pipeline. 174 Power Global’s name was inspired by the 174 petawatts (PW) of power the earth receives from the sun at any moment. For more information, visit 174PowerGlobal.com

About Gerdau Long Steel North America

Gerdau Long Steel North America (GLN) manufactures structural steel, piling, rebar, merchant bar, and special bar quality products for the agricultural, automotive, civil construction, distribution, energy, industrial, and mining markets. GLN operates seven mills in the United States and three in Canada, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables, and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable, and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

TotalEnergies, renewables and electricity

As part of its ambition to get to net zero by 2050, TotalEnergies is building a portfolio of activities in renewables and electricity that should account for up to 40% of its sales by 2050. At the end of 2020, TotalEnergies’ gross power generation capacity worldwide was around 12 GW, including 7 GW of renewable energy. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW of gross production capacity from renewable sources by 2025, and then 100 GW by 2030 with the objective of being among the world's top 5 in renewable energies.

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