Enel subsidary 3Sun's solar manufacturing plant in Italy. (Courtesy: Enel)
Decision comes as a result of ‘tailwinds’ of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
Enel has picked Inola in Oklahoma for a 3GW solar cell and module manufacturing plant.
And the decision is a direct result of the Inflation Reduction Act. Enrico Viale, head of Enel North America, said “recent policy tailwinds from the Inflation Reduction Act have served as a catalyst for our solar manufacturing ambitions in the US, ushering in a new era of made-in-America energy”.
Enel announced that through its subsidiary 3Sun it will invest more than $1 billion in the facility, which is expected to create 1,000 new jobs by 2025.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2023. The facility’s first solar modules should be available to the market by the end of 2024, pending final approvals, permits, and economic incentive agreements.
“Our selection of Oklahoma is a testament to the strength of the Tulsa Port of Inola site, the state’s commitment to workforce development, and an attractive investment climate,” said Giovanni Bertolino, head of 3Sun USA.
Enel’s Oklahoma facility could one day support a second-phase expansion to reach up to 6 GW of annual production, the company said.
The planned factory will be among the first in the US to produce solar cells, the fundamental building block of PV modules, and will incorporate a high-performance bifacial heterojunction technology. Enel plans to begin production of its new bifacial HJT solar module in September.
US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, said President Biden’s Investing in America agenda “is making our nation a powerhouse for clean energy manufacturing and today’s exciting announcement by Enel proves that once again”.
She added: “With its new Oklahoma facility, Enel is taking a winning bet on America and the diverse workers of the Sooner State who will build solar panels proudly stamped ‘Made in the USA’.”
Enel has a long history with Oklahoma, having invested $3 billion in the state to date. The global clean energy developer operates 13 wind farms there, as well as a corporate regional office in Oklahoma City.
Enel said previously that rich incentives for domestic manufacturing in the Inflation Reduction Act served as a “catalyst” for the company’s planned investment.
In a statement shared by the White House, President Biden said Enel’s investment shows that the administration’s policy actions are working, and the private capital is flowing into the clean energy economy.
Enel North America boss Viale also added: “With this announcement, it is our intention to bolster a robust domestic solar supply chain that accelerates and strengthens the US’s transition to clean energy. In doing so, we are creating thousands of new jobs, supporting local economies and providing stability to the solar industry.”
