240 megawatt solar and energy storage project marks expansion into the Central Valley and greater California
Scarlet I Solar Energy Ribbon Cutting
Tranquillity, California, July 17, 2024 – EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), a leading renewable energy developer and a top five renewable energy owner and operator in the United States, proudly unveiled its Scarlet I Solar Energy Park (Scarlet I) in Fresno County, California today during a ribbon cutting hosting dozens of dignitaries and industry partners. The 200 megawatt (MW) project, which also includes a 40 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 68,000 average California homes each year.
Scarlet I has two executed power purchase agreements (PPAs), which were announced previously, with Ava Community Energy (previously known as East Bay Community Energy) for 100 MW of solar and 30 MW of BESS and with San José Clean Energy (SJCE) for 100 MW of solar and 10 MW of BESS. This newest solar + storage facility builds upon EDPR NA’s existing 248 MW operational footprint in California.
The Solar Energy Park supported the creation of more than 230 construction jobs and five permanent positions dedicated to ongoing operations and routine maintenance. Scarlet I will invest millions of dollars in small businesses and the local economy over the next several decades.
“We’re excited for the commencement of Scarlet I as it plays a key role in Ava achieving our goal of providing 100% carbon-free electricity to all customers by 2030,” added Howard Chang, CEO of Ava Community Energy. “Working with EDPR NA ensured that our investment in renewables – and making it easy for our customers to transition to clean and reliable energy while saving on monthly energy bills – is happening.”
“This project will help us keep our commitment to providing clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while also offering community programs, local control, and more transparency and accessibility,” noted Lori Mitchell, Director, San José Clean Energy. “In sourcing and building clean and affordable renewables, we’re committed to advancing a more reliable and sustainable power grid for California.”
Scarlet I will be aiding the region’s water efficiency goals, with the project estimated to save more than 254 million gallons of water each year that would have otherwise been consumed by conventional generation sources for equivalent energy capacity. In a nod towards advancing agrivoltaics – the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture – the project is actively exploring possibilities for sheep grazing on site following a recent trial run, utilizing locally sourced sheep.
EDPR NA’s commitment to Fresno County has remained strong, with the company being a proud member of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation and engaging the local community through sponsorship of the 2023 State of the County event and the 2023 Fresno County Fair.
“California remains a priority state for EDPR NA’s development efforts, and we are pleased to finalize this significant solar + storage project in The Golden State,” stated Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. “Scarlet I will be a benchmark project as we look to develop additional hybrid multi-technology renewable projects across our portfolio and contribute further to grid resiliency.”
EDPR NA is a key renewable energy leader in California. The company’s operational footprint of 248 MW is spread across three phases of the Rising Tree Wind Farm in Kern County, two phases of the Lone Valley Solar Park in San Bernardino County, and the Windhub A Solar Park in Kern County. EDPR NA also has several additional California projects in late-stage development including the 200 MW Scarlet II Solar Energy Park, which also includes 150 MW of BESS, and the 300 MW Sandrini Solar Park located in Kern County.
