OCI Energy LLC, Arava Power, and ING Capital LLC have announced the successful financial closure of construction funding for Project SunRoper, a 347 MWdc solar development in Wharton County, Texas. The deal marks OCI Energy’s second financing partnership with ING, following their collaboration on the Alamo City Battery Energy Storage System project, and represents the first transaction involving all three companies.
Project SunRoper is being developed through a joint venture between OCI Energy and Arava Power, a pioneer in Israel’s solar energy sector. ING Capital was selected to structure and underwrite a comprehensive financing package that includes a construction-to-term loan, a tax equity bridge loan, and letters of credit. In this transaction, ING Capital is acting as sole coordinating lead arranger, sole bookrunner, sole green loan coordinator, and administrative agent.
The total investment associated with Project SunRoper is expected to be approximately $394 million.
The construction financing is supported by a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with a Fortune 100 company.
Other collaborators on Project SunRoper include:
- BHI and Bank of Hapoalim, which provided financing support and letters of credit to support the development of the project.
- Foley & Lardner LLP provided legal counsel to the SunRoper joint venture between OCI Energy and Arava Power.
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP represented ING.
- WHC, LLC will serve as the EPC Contractor.
- Black & Veatch is acting as the technical advisor.
“The close of construction financing for Project SunRoper represents an important milestone for OCI Energy and our partners,” said Sabah Bayatli, President of OCI Energy. “This transaction reflects our continued commitment to deliver high-quality, utility-scale solar projects that strengthen grid reliability and provide affordable energy infrastructure.”
“Arava Power is entering a pivotal phase of growth, and the U.S. market is a central pillar of our long‑term strategy,” said Ilan Zidkony, CEO of Arava Power. “Project SunRoper highlights the strength of our collaboration with OCI Energy. Our teams have operated with exceptional alignment and a shared commitment to excellence – securing the strongest commercial package, finalizing financing, and completing a long‑term busbar PPA with a major U.S. energy company to advance the project toward construction. SunRoper is a strategic milestone that supports our vision of building more than 1 GW of solar capacity in the United States within the next two years.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support OCI Energy and Arava Power on the financing of Project SunRoper,” said Sven Wellock, Managing Director at ING. “This project exemplifies the high‑quality renewable infrastructure we seek to finance — a strong sponsor partnership, a long‑term contracted revenue profile, and a well‑located asset in one of the most dynamic power markets in the United States. We are proud to build on our existing relationship with OCI Energy and to partner with Arava Power on its continued expansion in the U.S. market, advancing a project that will deliver reliable, affordable clean energy for years to come.”
Situated about 60 miles southwest of downtown Houston, Project SunRoper will add significant clean energy capacity to one of the highest-demand power markets in Texas and the United States. The project is expected to commence commercial operations in Q3 2027, contributing to improved grid reliability, enhanced energy affordability, and lower emissions.
