EDP Renewables North America (EDPRNA) has inaugurated the 200MW Scarlet II solar energy park in Fresno County, California. This project is the second phase of the Scarlet solar energy park, following the launch of Scarlet I, which consists of 200MW of solar and a 40MW/160MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The Scarlet II project includes a co-located 150MW/600MWh BESS, significantly increasing the project’s resilience. The full output of the 200MW solar energy is secured through a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA).
The project is expected to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 68,000 California homes annually and will contribute millions to local governments through tax payments, stimulating local economies. The construction of the project created 140 jobs and accounted for over $1.5 million in spending within the state. EDPRNA also exceeded its environmental stewardship commitment by recycling over 1,700 tonnes of material during construction, which is more than 60% of the total reported construction material.
The Scarlet II project is part of EDPRNA’s larger operational footprint in California, which now stands at over 1.1GW of operational solar, wind, and storage projects. The company has a strong presence in the state, with multiple projects, including two phases of the Scarlet solar energy park and three phases of the Rising Tree wind farm in Kern County.
EDPRNA’s CEO, Sandhya Ganapathy, expressed pride in the company’s ability to deliver energy reliability and resiliency for Fresno County and the state of California. The company’s partnerships and investments in the community helped generate strong local support for the expansion of the Scarlet solar energy park. The project’s resource adequacy associated with the 150MW BESS is contracted under long-term resource adequacy agreements with Ava Community Energy and San José Clean Energy, ensuring that the project contributes to California’s grid reliability.
The inauguration of Scarlet II marks a significant milestone for EDPRNA in California, demonstrating the company’s commitment to delivering renewable energy and promoting sustainability. With its operational footprint in the state expected to continue growing, EDPRNA is well-positioned to play a key role in California’s transition to a low-carbon economy.