The California Energy Commission (CEC) has authorized a 1.1-GW photo voltaic and 4.6-GWh storage mission for Fresno County that’s the first mission to be permitted below the state’s Opt-In Certification program.
The Oberon Photo voltaic + Storage mission accomplished by Intersect Energy in 2023.
Licensed below Meeting Invoice 205, the Choose-In Certification program offers a consolidated state allowing possibility for eligible clear power initiatives, supporting California’s transition to 100% zero-carbon retail electrical gross sales by 2045, as required by Senate Invoice 100. Underneath statute, the environmental overview for a mission have to be accomplished inside 270 days from the purpose the mission utility is deemed full, until important mission adjustments come up that require extra time to overview.
“California is shifting sooner than ever earlier than to construct the clear power we’d like – now with the world’s largest photo voltaic and battery mission,” mentioned Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a file quantity of unpolluted power capability added final 12 months, we’re creating jobs and supporting native communities – all whereas constructing a cleaner, extra dependable energy grid.”
The Darden Clean Energy Project (DCEP) will likely be constructed on 9,500 acres of land in western Fresno County that’s not in a position to assist agricultural manufacturing. The mission features a 1,150-MW photo voltaic facility with roughly 3.1 million panels and as much as 1,150 MW (4,600 MWh) of battery storage – sufficient to energy 850,000 houses for 4 hours. The mission proprietor is IP Darden I LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power.
Tasks looking for approval by the Choose-In Certification program are required to supply group and financial advantages. The DCEP consists of:
- $2 million in group investments over the subsequent decade beginning with a $320,000 dedication to Centro La Familia Advocacy Companies, a nonprofit supporting crime victims, household wellness and civic engagement in rural communities.
- Greater than 2,000 prevailing-wage development jobs to assist the native workforce all through the development interval, which can final from 18 months to 3 years.
- An estimated $169 million in financial advantages to the native space over the mission’s lifetime, estimated at 35 years.
“As we speak’s clear power initiatives should do extra than simply ship megawatts. They need to create worth within the communities the place they’re constructed,” mentioned CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo. “This mission exemplifies a community-focused strategy that advances the state’s power targets whereas creating advantages for native employees and residents.”
The Darden mission builds on a sequence of unpolluted power data just lately set in California. On three out of every five days last year, California’s most important grid hit 100% clear power for some portion of the day. That momentum continues in 2025. Thus far this 12 months, the primary grid has reached 100% clear power on 138 of 151 days, or 91% of days by Could. In 2024, the state added 7 GW of clean energy capacity to the grid – the biggest single-year improve in state historical past – and added 25 GW of capability over the previous 5 years.
Information merchandise from CEC
