Clearway Energy Group (“Clearway”) announced today that its Rosamond South 1 project in Kern County, California, has reached commercial operations. The 117 MW energy storage and 140 MW solar complex will generate enough electricity to power over 72,000 homes every year, deploying low-cost energy during peak demand when it’s needed most.
“We’re pleased to bring Rosamond South online and continue to serve Kern County and the broader region with reliable, low-cost energy,” said Valerie Wooley, Senior Vice President of Origination at Clearway. “Thank you to our valued customers for working with Clearway to help meet your clean energy goals and bring online more reliable energy in California.”
Rosamond South 1, which is also referred to as Golden Fields Solar IV LLC by its offtakers, is under long-term contracts with several California load-serving entities, including MCE, The University of California, Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Utility, Eastside Power Authority, City of Moreno Valley, and Constellation Energy.
“This project is MCE’s second utility-scale solar plus storage project, marking another significant step in MCE’s 15-year acceleration toward a 100% renewable California,” said MCE’s CEO Dawn Weisz. “This project strengthens the reliability of our renewable energy supply, providing clean power when people need it most. At the same time, it’s cutting emissions, improving air quality, and creating family-sustaining green jobs. A win-win for all.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of this project. The University of California is on a path to decarbonize all our campuses and medical locations, and Golden Fields is a key piece to achieving our goal,” said Colin Mickle, Associate Director of Renewable Energy at the UC Office of the President.
More than 400 union laborers contributed to the construction with 350,000 hours of injury-free labor. McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (“McCarthy”) led the construction with labor partners that included Laborers Union 220, Southwest Regional Council of
Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 12, IBEW Local 428, Ironworkers Local 416 and Local 433.
Clearway and McCarthy supported several local organizations during construction, including Angel Toy Drive, Tehachapi Youth Football Association, and local food banks.
Rosamond South 1 brings Clearway’s operating footprint in Kern County to over 1,500 MW of wind, solar, and energy storage, which together contribute over $20 million in property taxes to the county each year.
Clearway Energy Group’s vision is a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., our portfolio comprises over 13 GW of gross generating capacity in 27 states, including over 2.8 GW of flexible dispatchable power generation, 10.3 GW of battery energy storage, solar, and wind assets providing critical grid reliability services. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new energy projects for the future, Clearway’s operating fleet generates enough reliable electricity to power more than 2 million homes today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit https://www.clearwayenergygroup.com.