U.S. generating capacity expanded by a net 493 MW in July, thanks entirely to new capacity additions, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
Six generation units were brought online during the month, largely comprised of two wind projects in Texas with a combined capacity of 486 MW. Eight new power plant units with a total capacity of 475 MW were proposed, of which solar accounted for 48.8%.
There were no plants shuttered during the month.

Completed
The 302-MW Santa Rita East Wind Farm (Oveja) in Irion County, Texas, was the largest single unit completed in July. Upon completion, Invenergy LLC closed the sale of a 75% stake in the project to American Electric Power Co. Inc. subsidiary AEP Renewables, pursuant to an agreement signed December 2018. Invenergy is retaining the remaining 25% interest and will be in charge of operations, asset management and energy management services as part of a 20-year agreement.
The wind farm's output is contracted in three separate virtual power purchase agreements: 100 MW to Mexico-headquartered baked goods maker Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, 100 MW to pharmaceutical company Novartis AG and 60 MW to pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. Inc.
Lincoln Clean Energy LLC's 184-MW Lockett Wind Farm in Wilbarger County, Texas, was the next-largest addition. According to the Ørsted A/S subsidiary, the project has an annual generating capacity of more than 700,000 MWh, powering the equivalent of 70,000 homes. With the newly completed wind farm, Lincoln Clean Energy now has more than 1,000 MW of operational assets across the U.S.

Announced
Ranger Power's planned 230-MW Lincoln Solar Farm in Lancaster County, Neb., was the largest announced project by generating capacity in July. Once completed, the project, with an estimated cost of $517.5 million, would be the state's largest solar farm.
Project manager Colin Snow said Ranger Power is applying for a permit with the city of Lincoln, Neb., and hopes to see construction within two years. He added that the company has a lease on 1,000 acres of land and that there is an existing substation for the project located strategically near Nebraska's load centers, Lincoln and Omaha.
Orion Renewable Energy Group's 150-MW Hart Wind Project in Castro County, Texas, was the second-largest announced project. It has an estimated cost of $270.0 million and a projected completion in December 2021.

