Construction moves forward at TIMET’s Ravenswood titanium melt facility Wednesday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

RAVENSWOOD — BHE Renewables is building a renewable energy microgrid in Jackson County that will provide 70% of the power for TIMET’s new $500 million titanium melt facility, which is now under construction.

The microgrid, located on the former Century Aluminum site, is being developed in three phases across 400 acres. Once complete, it will use about 200,000 American-made solar panels generating 106 megawatts, along with a battery energy storage system.

Project completion is expected in 2027.

“This microgrid is monumental because it combines the legacy of West Virginia’s manufacturing history with the future of renewable energy,” said Andrew Robinson, regional director of business development for BHE Renewables. “It’s one of the first of its kind in the country, and we specifically designed it to meet the needs of TIMET’s new facility.”

According to officials with BHE Renewables, the system will operate independently behind the meter, meaning it won’t affect local utility rates or services. Solar energy will be delivered across Highway 2 directly to TIMET’s plant, which is expected to employ about 200 people once fully operational in late 2025.

BHE Renewables is working on a microgrid to help power TIMET’s Ravenswood titanium melt facility. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Currently, about 50 employees are on-site in administrative, engineering and maintenance roles.

Alan Davies, TIMET’s general manager, said the facility will produce titanium products for aerospace, defense, industrial and medical applications.

“Our melt shop will look much more like a car factory than a traditional metals mill,” Davies said. “We’re working in a clean, highly controlled environment, using vacuum melting technology to meet aerospace standards.”

TIMET, a subsidiary of Precision Castparts Corp., will begin production in stages starting with melting units in late 2025. Most of the plant’s output will be shipped to a sister facility in Toronto, Ohio, for further processing.

BHE Renewables said it is also focused on community engagement. Since 2022, the company and its foundation have invested more than $1.1 million in local schools, non-profits and events, including River Fest and Ripley’s Independence Day Parade.

The Ravenswood TIMET team. (Photo Provided)

“Our approach has always been to give back to the communities we’re a part of,” said Robinson. “We want to do more than just build energy projects — we want to support the schools, local programs, and events that make this a place people are proud to call home.”

TIMET has also encouraged its workforce to take part in service. Since early 2024, employees have logged more than 1,200 volunteer hours in Jackson County, contributing to projects such as building playground equipment, installing solar lighting at Ripley High School, and even assembling new puppy play structures for the county animal shelter.

Walt Swan, an HR generalist at TIMET, said the service culture has been well received.

“We’ve done everything from playground builds to STEM nights with local schools, where kids can start learning about solar power and energy technology at an early age,” Swan said. “It’s important for our team to not only work here but to be active in the community.”

Job postings for the new titanium facility will be listed on TIMET’s recruiting portal, www.pcc-jobs.com, as operations expand.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.