Wyoming Set for Solar Boom with Approval of Massive Cowboy Solar Project

Wyoming, traditionally lagging in solar energy adoption, is set to see a dramatic shift in its renewable energy landscape. The state, which ranked 50th in installed solar capacity in 2023 according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), will leap to 43rd place with 685 MW expected to be installed over the next five years. This surge will be significantly bolstered by the newly approved Cowboy Solar Project, a 771 MW solar installation with 268 MW of battery energy storage.

Approved by Wyoming’s Industrial Siting Council, the Cowboy Solar Project is spearheaded by Enbridge, a Canadian multinational company. The project will be constructed in two phases starting in March 2025. Phase I, featuring 400 MW of solar and 136 MW of battery storage, is scheduled to begin commercial operation in January 2027. Phase II, with 371 MW of solar and 133 MW of battery storage, is expected to come online in August 2027. The construction will employ an average of 285 temporary workers monthly, peaking at approximately 375 in April 2025.

Enbridge has yet to announce an offtake agreement for the electricity generated. However, the project, located about four miles south of Cheyenne on 3,845 acres of leased private land, is estimated to generate enough power to serve 771,000 homes—more than triple 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 the U.S.’s natural gas—Enbridge aims to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company already boasts a renewable energy portfolio exceeding 5.2 GW, including wind and solar projects across North America and Europe.

Public engagement has been a priority for Enbridge. In October 2023, the company held meetings to inform neighbors within one kilometer of the project, advertised in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Further outreach to community stakeholders and Tribal communities is planned as the project approaches its 2026 in-service date.

The Cowboy Solar Project is set to be Wyoming’s third utility-scale solar installation. The state’s largest current facility is the 150 MW South Cheyenne Solar Facility, operational since April and developed by Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. Prior to this, the largest installation was the 98 MW Sweetwater solar project by SOLV Energy, developed by Clenera.

To facilitate the siting of new energy projects in Wyoming while preserving the state’s natural beauty, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) developed the Brightfields Energy Siting Initiative (BESI) tool. This tool helps direct energy development to previously disturbed areas, minimizing environmental and permitting conflicts. It can identify potential issues like migration routes, cultural resources, and sensitive habitats, guiding developers towards more suitable sites.

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