EDP Renewables invests in 200 MW solar and 150 MW storage in California

EDP Renewables North America LLC has commissioned Scarlet II, a project combining 200 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and 150 MW/600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage in Fresno County, California. This new unit adds to Scarlet I, operational since 2024, which also includes 200 MW of solar and 40 MW/160 MWh of storage.

Long-term power purchase and capacity contracts

The output of Scarlet II is fully secured through a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA). In parallel, the battery system’s capacity is contracted under long-term agreements within the state’s Resource Adequacy Program, which ensures grid reliability by requiring energy suppliers to maintain sufficient capacity to meet customer demand.

The agreements were signed with Ava Community Energy and San José Clean Energy, two local public entities. These contracts allow EDPR NA to stabilise project revenues while complying with California’s regulatory requirements.

Portfolio expansion beyond 1.1 GW

With the addition of Scarlet II, EDP Renewables North America now exceeds 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity in the state, spanning solar, wind, and storage projects. The company continues its strategic development in the region, relying on a local supply chain.

The project created more than 140 construction jobs and generated local spending of over $1.53mn (USD), according to figures released by the company. Local governments are expected to collect several million dollars in tax revenue over the project’s operational lifetime.

Local economic impact and supply strategy

The energy generated by Scarlet II is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 68,000 Californian households. The park is located in a high-irradiation agricultural zone, enabling efficient integration of large-scale solar. The facility relies on regional partners for operation and maintenance, contributing to local businesses such as fuel stations, retailers, and lodging establishments.

The project also enabled the recycling of 1,757 tonnes of materials during construction, amounting to nearly 62% of the total, as part of the internal “Close the Loop” programme led with engineering firm Rosendin and several specialised contractors.

Sandhya Ganapathy, Chief Executive Officer of EDP Renewables North America, stated: “We are proud that our strong partnerships and community investments enabled broad support for the Scarlet park expansion project.”