Wyoming Poised for Solar Boom After Approving Massive Cowboy Solar Project

Wyoming, traditionally a laggard in solar energy adoption, is poised for a dramatic change in the renewable energy landscape. The state, which ranked 50th in installed solar capacity in 2023 according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), will jump to 43rd place, with 685 MW expected to be installed over the next five years. This growth will be significantly enhanced by the newly approved Cowboy Solar Project, a 771 MW solar facility with 268 MW of battery storage.

Approved by the Wyoming Industrial Facilities Siting Board, the Cowboy Solar Project is operated by Enbridge, a Canadian multinational company. The project will be implemented in two phases, starting in March 2025. Phase I, consisting of 400 MW of solar and 136 MW of batteries, is expected to be commercially operational in January 2027. Phase II, consisting of 371 MW of solar and 133 MW of power plants, is expected that the launch of the battery warehouse will take place in August 2027. On average, 285 temporary workers will be employed per month during the construction, and the maximum number of employees will be approximately 375 in April 2025.

Enbridge has not yet announced an off-take agreement for the electricity generated. But the project, located about four miles south of Cheyenne on a 3,845-acre leased private property, is estimated to generate enough energy to service 771,000 homes, more than three times the number of homes in Wyoming.

Despite its current focus on fossil fuels – responsible for transporting 30% of North America’s crude oil and 20% of U.S. natural gas – Enbridge aims to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The company can already boast a renewable energy portfolio of more than 5.2 GW, including wind and solar projects in North America and Europe.

Community involvement was a priority for Enbridge. In October 2023, the company held meetings to inform neighbors within a one-mile radius of the project, announced in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Further outreach to community stakeholders and tribal communities is planned as the project approaches its 2026 commissioning date.

The Cowboy Solar Project is expected to be the third utility-scale solar installation in Wyoming. The largest facility currently in the state is the 150-MW South Cheyenne solar facility, in operation since April and being developed by Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. Previously, the largest installation was SOLV Energy’s 98 MW Sweetwater solar project, developed by Clenera.

To help locate new energy projects in Wyoming while preserving the state’s natural beauty, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) developed the Brightfields Energy Siteing Initiative (BESI) tool. This tool helps direct energy development into previously disturbed areas, minimizing environmental and permitting conflicts. It can identify potential issues such as migration routes, cultural resources and sensitive habitats, directing developers towards more suitable locations.

Enbridge’s next steps include obtaining the necessary permits from Laramie County and environmental and municipal authorities before construction begins.

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