Clearway Energy, a US independent power producer, has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of commercial operations at its Daggett solar-plus-storage facility. This cutting-edge project encompasses an impressive 482MW of solar capacity paired with 280MW of battery storage capacity.
Situated in southern California's San Bernardino County, the Daggett facility commenced production in 2021 adjacent to the decommissioned Coolwater gas-fired power plant. While Clearway has plans for ongoing project development, a third phase is already in motion. This phase will introduce an additional 113.5MW of battery capacity, set to be operational by 2025. Clearway has also secured agreements with six load serving entities to procure power generated at the facility.
Ted Bardacke, CEO of the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), one of the organizations benefitting from the project's power output, highlighted the significance of the Daggett facility. He stated, “The Daggett facility is a vital asset for the Clean Power Alliance, providing enough energy to power approximately 85,000 homes in Southern California.” Bardacke acknowledged the challenges faced during the project's development, including the impact of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, solar panel tariffs, and global crises like the war in Ukraine. However, he commended the collaborative efforts that brought the project to its current operational status.
This accomplishment holds promising prospects for California's renewable energy sector, aligning with the state's ambitious goal to satisfy 100% of its energy demand through clean energy sources by 2045. California has witnessed a remarkable twentyfold surge in solar generation between 2012 and 2022. According to the California Energy Commission, in 2021, 37% of the state's electricity originated from solar and wind sources, a figure that climbs to 59% when considering hydroelectric and nuclear power.
The integration of battery storage facilities carries substantial weight in California's energy landscape, reflecting the state's commitment to promoting new storage solutions in recent years. Data from the California Independent System Operator reveals a remarkable increase in battery storage capacity within the state, surging from 250MW in 2019 to 5GW in 2023. California's government anticipates this capacity to expand further, reaching 52GW by the mid-century mark.
