Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Katie Garza, Co-Founder and COO, Lyssy Energy
By Constance ThompsonOctober 7, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, ACORE is highlighting three Hispanic-owned member business that are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Lyssy Energy Enterprises, a utility-scale renewable energy developer in Texas. The following is a Q&A with Lyssy Energy Co-Founder and COO Katie Garza and Constance Thompson, ACOREs Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs.
What inspired you to begin Lyssy Energy?
Lyssy Energy Enterprises all began with a favor to my dad. He asked me to put together an energy lease that would protect his land for ranching and farming while providing an extra source of income.
A couple years later, we began partnering with sustainable energy designers. There were certainly drawbacks and obstacles, closed doors and unequal partnerships, however we utilized this time to actually sharpen our craft. If we wanted our business to grow and succeed then we would need to take a risk, we recognized that. In 2020, when the world was forced to decrease due to the pandemic, we decided to take that threat. We used 2020 to rebrand Lyssy Energy into the business we had actually constantly dreamed about. In 2021, we have actually reintroduced ourselves to the world– no longer as an energy service business, however as sustainable energy designers with the hope of owning and operating utility-scale renewable energy tasks.
Tell us about Lyssy Energy.
Lyssy Energy Enterprises is an ingenious, privately held, utility-scale developer of solar, wind and battery energy solutions. Our prime instruction is to contribute to the velocity of the energy markets transition to sustainable energy. We focus our operations in Texas, where thriving population and company development mean a rapidly growing need for energy. Lyssy Energy believes that by releasing wind, solar and battery storage, we can maximize our efforts and provide all type of eco-friendly energy solutions. This state is our house, and the energy crisis unfolding in our backyard is personal. We wish to be a part of the solution and assist our next-door neighbors throughout the state develop much-needed sources of clean power. We are well on our way, with 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of tidy, reliable energy consisting of one wind and 3 solar jobs currently in advancement and a possible portfolio of 15 GW.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Capital is one of the most significant obstacles we deal with at the moment. The wind and the sun provide electricity, but capital is what moves everything and everybody else. We need capital for everyday operations, and to develop, construct and operate our projects.
Securing development capital early is necessary in providing land control and affiliation research studies to get tasks off the ground. We are striving to develop relationships with big investment firms that have a strong interest in renewables and can offer the capital necessary to produce an effective renewable resource project.
How can possible partners work with you?
Lyssy Energy Enterprises is open to collaborations or joint ventures. We are offered to discuss the requirement for all types of capital stack with different equity, tax and financial obligation business that run in this industry and those interested in investing in renewable energy jobs and companies.
How are you making an effect through Lyssy Energy?
Lyssy Energy Enterprises aims to continue developing a varied business. We wish to assist balance the inequalities in our society by connecting to individuals that are traditionally ignored and passed over. Ladies and individuals of color are key to our success, and it is necessary to promote their improvement to positions of management and leadership.
Lyssy Energy is working with poor neighborhoods in rural locations, and we hope to make a distinction by bringing sustainable energy jobs to areas with high rates of poverty and other susceptible neighborhoods. It is crucial for the energy transition to not only change how we produce energy, however to bring the disenfranchised to the center of this technological development so everyone shares the advantages.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your company?
Being able to participate in ACOREs Accelerate subscription program is a delight and a benefit. The Accelerate Program has actually connected us to some of the most significant and most prominent business in the world, and these connections help provide us the power to make a difference.
To read more about or contact Lyssy Energy Enterprises, check out https://www.lyssyenergy.com/.
###
In 2021, we have reintroduced ourselves to the world– no longer as an energy service company, but as renewable energy developers with the hope of owning and running utility-scale sustainable energy projects.
Lyssy Energy Enterprises is an ingenious, privately held, utility-scale developer of solar, wind and battery energy services. Lyssy Energy thinks that by deploying wind, solar and battery storage, we can maximize our efforts and provide all kinds of renewable energy solutions. Lyssy Energy is working with poor neighborhoods in rural areas, and we hope to make a distinction by bringing sustainable energy projects to locations with high rates of poverty and other vulnerable neighborhoods. It is essential for the energy shift to not only change how we produce energy, but to bring the disenfranchised to the center of this technological development so everyone shares the advantages.