AES has reached a significant milestone in green energy with the completion of the first phase of the Bellefield solar and battery storage project in Kern County, California.
Spanning 1,000 megawatts (MW), this venture includes 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of four-hour battery storage, all secured under a 15-year contract with tech giant Amazon.
Once the full 2,000 MW Bellefield project is operational, it will be the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the United States.
Amazon secures major green energy boost with Bellefield solar facility
This ambitious project is designed to meet the growing energy demands of data centers while contributing to a cleaner environment. The Bellefield project is expected to prevent over 1 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually and improve air quality in the region.
“Completing the first 1,000 MW of Bellefield demonstrates how rapidly solar and storage can be deployed,” stated AES CEO Andrés Gluski, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in addressing climate change.
In terms of job creation, the construction of Bellefield 1 generated over 700 union jobs, with the forthcoming Bellefield 2 phase anticipated to create around 1,000 additional positions at peak.
AES has also leveraged advanced technology in its construction efforts, employing a robotics system called Maximo, which is powered by artificial intelligence. This innovative tool accelerates the installation of solar panels with greater accuracy, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Once fully operational, the Bellefield facility will provide sufficient electricity to power approximately 467,000 homes annually. AES anticipates beginning to recognize revenue from the first phase of the project later this year, underscoring the timely execution of this substantial renewable energy initiative.