LAKE JACKSON, Texas -- Buc-ee’s Ltd. has signed a long-term service agreement with Enchanted Rock Ltd. and Texas Microgrid LLC to provide backup power to 10 convenience stores, with the intent to serve all existing and newly built Buc-ee’s locations.
Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s operates 32 locations throughout Texas. Some of its travel centers are nearly 70,000 square feet in size with 120 fueling positions.
Through Enchanted Rock’s proprietary natural-gas powered microgrid design, Texas Microgrid will provide a sufficient amount of electrical reliability to cover the energy needs of an entire Buc-ee’s store when utility power is unavailable.
Enchanted Rock’s reliability microgrid solution “will allow Buc-ee’s to ensure critical service is available to travelers and customers from surrounding communities during weather-related emergencies like those commonly experienced in Texas,” said Jeff Nadalo, Buc-ee’s general counsel.
Enchanted Rock’s On Demand Electric Reliability service allows customers to pay only a small fraction of the installation cost of a standard reliability microgrid system, it said. The structure of the offering shifts the performance risk to the operator and owner of the assets allowing customers to focus their time and capital on their core business.
“We are very happy to join the Buc-ee’s family and help ensure that Buc-ee’s continues to provide the quality of service and products their customers have come to expect and support the surrounding communities they serve during power outages,” said Robert Cauthen III, Enchanted Rock’s COO.
Houston-based Enchanted Rock builds and operates microgrids that help companies manage physical and financial risk associated with electricity. The company is responsible for the design, project management, installation and commissioning of more than 67 megawatts (MW) of customer microgrids in the greater Houston Area and 160 MW of grid reliability distributed generation sites across Texas. Through Texas Microgrid, it is building and operating more than 60 MW of natural gas generation across Texas.
Texas Microgrid, Houston, is a partnership between Basalt Infrastructure Partners, New York, and Enchanted Rock. The company has closed more than 60 MW in new customer deals and continues to expand its gas-fired microgrid portfolio.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.