-- The California Energy Commission approved the Soda Mountain Solar Project on Monday, utilizing its streamlined "Opt-In Certification" program to accelerate the state's clean energy goals.
The nearly $700 million initiative, led by Soda Mountain Solar, a subsidiary of VC Renewables, features a massive 300-megawatt solar photovoltaic array paired with a 300-MW battery energy storage system, as per the statement.
This storage component will provide up to 1,200 megawatt-hours of energy, ensuring renewable power remains available during peak demand periods, it said.
Developers plan to construct the facility on roughly 2,670 acres of federal land in San Bernardino County, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the company added.
While the CEC has granted its certification to speed up permitting, final construction remains contingent on approval from the BLM's California Desert District.
Once operational, the project will serve as a critical hub for California's grid reliability and its ongoing transition away from fossil fuels.