Panamint Capital has started construction of the $1.7 billion Big Rooter Power solar photovoltaic (PV) project at its Twin Oaks power station in Robertson County, Texas. The project is being built on an existing coal mining site and will deliver a planned capacity of 1.2GW-direct current. Developed in two phases, the project will also include transmission infrastructure, battery energy storage, and data centre capacity.
Panamint Capital Launches Big Rooter Power Construction
US-based energy investment company Panamint Capital has begun construction of the Big Rooter Power project at its Twin Oaks power station in Robertson County, Texas.
The solar PV project has a planned capacity of 1.2GW-direct current (GWdc) and is being developed on an existing coal mining site. According to the company, the development forms part of its effort to transform the historic Texas energy facility into a contemporary energy and digital infrastructure centre. Panamint Capital said the project will utilise existing assets to help meet increasing electricity demand while extending the economic life of the site.
Panamint Capital CEO Apolka Totth said:
“Big Rooter Power represents our vision for getting more out of America’s energy infrastructure and ensuring America’s energy dominance.
“When Big Rooter is complete, the Twin Oaks complex will have 1.5GW of operating thermal and renewable power, in addition to over 20 miles of new 345kV transmission, 1.6GWh of battery energy storage and 790MW of Batch Zero data centre capacity under development across our 10,000-acre site.”
Big Rooter Power Will Be Delivered in Two Phases
Big Rooter West
The first phase of the project, Big Rooter West, will provide 491MW-direct current (MWdc) of generating capacity. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in August 2028.
Panamint Capital expects Big Rooter West to contribute more than $66 million to the local economy during its operational lifetime. The company also said the phase will focus on local hiring together with regional contractors and suppliers.
Big Rooter East
The second phase, Big Rooter East, will deliver 658MWdc of generating capacity. Construction is expected to begin in December 2026, with commercial operations targeted for August 2029.
Together, the two phases are expected to create more than 800 jobs.
US Companies Selected for Project Delivery
Panamint Capital has engaged several US-based companies with experience in utility-scale infrastructure to support delivery of the project.
SOLV Energy will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services covering the solar facility, transmission infrastructure, and substations.
First Solar will manufacture approximately two million solar panels for both Big Rooter West and Big Rooter East. Production will take place at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Nextpower will supply its NX Horizon tracker systems together with NX Navigator and Hail Pro-75 software.
Construction of the project will use more than 34,000 tonnes of steel produced in the United States.
Twin Oaks Complex
When completed, the Big Rooter Power project will form part of the wider Twin Oaks complex. According to Panamint Capital, the completed site will include thermal and renewable power generation, new transmission infrastructure, battery energy storage, and data centre capacity across its 10,000-acre site.
The completed Twin Oaks complex will include:
- 1.5GW of operating thermal and renewable power
- More than 20 miles of new 345kV transmission
- 1.6GWh of battery energy storage
- 790MW of Batch Zero data centre capacity under development
- The Big Rooter Power solar PV project, which is expected to create more than 800 jobs, while Big Rooter West alone is projected to contribute more than $66 million to the local economy during its operational lifetime.
Conclusion
Panamint Capital’s $1.7 billion Big Rooter Power project marks the next stage in the redevelopment of the Twin Oaks power station in Robertson County, Texas. Built in two phases, the solar PV development will deliver 1.2GWdc of capacity and support the expansion of the site’s energy and digital infrastructure. The project also involves several US-based engineering and manufacturing companies and is expected to create more than 800 jobs while contributing to the local economy.
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