Bechtel to Design and Build First Renewable Energy Project in Michigan
Hecate Energy has chosen Bechtel to spearhead the design and construction of Sunfish Solar 2, marking the debut of a major 1-gigawatt solar development in Calhoun County, Michigan. As one of the state’s largest solar facilities, Sunfish Solar 2 will play a key role in Michigan’s goal to source 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the Sunfish development will produce enough energy to power approximately 183,500 Michigan homes, significantly reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. The facility is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 1.5 million tons annually, an impact equivalent to removing over 300,000 passenger vehicles from the road each year.
Sunfish Solar 2 will be a 360MW DC facility, featuring 620,000 bifacial solar panels spread across 1,300 acres. These advanced panels capture sunlight from both sides, enhancing energy efficiency. Bechtel will employ its award-winning digital delivery method to design, build, and commission the facility, incorporating autonomous technologies to optimize project execution.
Construction is slated to begin later this year, with Sunfish Solar 2 projected to create over 350 construction jobs at its peak, benefiting the local economy and workforce.
Scott Austin, Bechtel’s General Manager of Renewables & Clean Power, expressed, “We are honored to support Michigan’s renewable energy objectives with this landmark project and to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future while generating high-quality clean energy jobs.”
Fazli Qadir, Hecate Energy’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Bechtel on Sunfish Solar 2. With over 80 years of experience in renewable energy projects, Bechtel shares our commitment to a greener future and delivering long-term benefits for electricity consumers.
About Hecate Energy
Headquartered in Chicago, Hecate Energy is a Hecate is a top-5 developer of renewable energy and storage projects. Founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans with more than 25 years of collaboration, Hecate Energy is one of the largest stand-alone renewable energy developers in the United States today. Currently, the company has a pipeline of over 48 GW, with over 125 projects across 10 power markets in North America. Over the last eight years, Hecate Energy has executed more than 36 power project transactions, totaling more than 6,500 MW of capacity. www.hecateenergy.com
About Bechtel
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.
