The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the Darden Clean Energy Project under the state’s Opt-In Certification program. The project will be built in western Fresno County, California. It consists of a 1,150 MW solar facility and up to 1,150 MW (4,600 MWh) of battery storage. The project is owned by IP Darden I, LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power.
The Opt-In Certification program provides a consolidated state permitting option for eligible clean energy projects and was authorized under Assembly Bill 205. Furthermore, the Darden Clean Energy Project will provide $2 million in community investments over the next decade and an estimated $169 million in economic benefits over the project’s lifetime.
Earlier in December 2024, the CEC approved a $42 million grant to develop a long-duration energy storage project at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. The grant was given to International Electric Power through the CEC’s Long-Duration Energy Storage Program. The project will be installed at the base’s Haybarn Energy Reliability Center. It will initially provide 6 MW/48 MWh of energy storage and can later be expanded to 50 MW/400 MWh.
