Biden Administration Announces Full Operation Of Desert Solar Project

BLYTHE, CA — The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Wednesday that the Blythe Solar Power Project in eastern Riverside County is now fully operational.

The four-unit, 485-megawatt photovoltaic facility and 387 MW battery energy storage system will produce enough energy to power nearly approximately 145,500 homes, according to an announcement from the federal agency.

“Bringing another solar project to full operation on our public lands will accelerate our nation’s transition to a clean energy economy by unlocking renewable resources, creating jobs, lowering costs, and boosting local economies,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Interior Department will continue to advance the sustainable development of clean energy in order to help meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035.”

The Blythe Solar Power Project was permitted as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. The DRECP is focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties. The plan "streamlines renewable energy development while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities," accorodng to the Department of the Interior's news release.

"To approve these sites for renewable energy projects, the BLM works with tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry, and other federal agencies," according to the release.

The solar facility was completed in four phases starting in January 2015 and ending in November 2020.

“The Blythe Solar Power Project is another example of how BLM-managed public lands are powering our clean energy future — including through added battery energy storage systems to these important projects,” said Tracy Stone-Manning, director of the Bureau of Land Management. “The BLM will continue its swift work to ensure that renewable energy projects have a transparent and predictable process to help ensure their success.”

The BLM is currently processing 64 utility-scale onshore clean energy projects proposed on public lands in the western United States. This includes solar, wind and geothermal projects, as well as interconnect gen-tie lines.

"These projects have the combined potential to add over 41,000 megawatts of renewable energy to the western electric grid. The BLM is also undertaking the preliminary review of 90 applications for solar and wind development, as well as 51 applications for wind and solar energy testing," according to the news release.

Wednesday's announcement follows several recent renewable energy and conservation approvals via the DRECP, including the construction of the Oberon, Arica and Victory Pass solar projects near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. The Palen Solar Project has also reached full power operation.

Additional information on the Blythe Solar Power Project, including environmental documents, is available here.