Landmark Solar and Battery project Powers Los Angeles,Signals Shift too Renewable Energy Future
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Los Angeles and Glendale are now receiving power from one of the largest solar and battery storage facilities in the United States,a $2-billion project in Kern County poised to significantly accelerate the region’s transition to clean energy. The Eland solar-plus-storage project, encompassing 1.36 million solar panels and 172 lithium iron phosphate batteries, began full production Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in California’s ambitious climate goals.
A Desert Powerhouse: Eland’s Scale and Impact
The Eland facility, sprawling across a landscape equivalent to 13 Dodger stadiums, is projected to generate 7% of Los angeles’ total electricity supply. This considerable contribution will be delivered at a record-low price, according to project developers. The Los angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) hailed the project as its largest investment in solar and battery technology to date.
“this is the largest project for LADWP when it comes to solar and battery, and that is a huge accomplishment for us because it takes away the fear of doing more of these – and we need about 10 more of these to hit our goals,” said Janisse Quiñones, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The city is committed to achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, and with eland operational, Los Angeles is now 64% of the way there.
Beyond Solar: The Crucial Role of Battery Storage
While the vast array of solar panels is visually striking, officials emphasize the critical role of the accompanying battery storage system. These batteries, resembling rows of large white shipping containers, c
Arevon Energy, the Arizona-based developer of the Eland project, asserts that solar paired with battery storage is currently the most cost-effective energy source, even without tax incentives. The project was completed in approximately two years,a significantly shorter timeframe than conventional energy infrastructure like nuclear or natural gas plants.
Kevin Smith, chief executive officer of Arevon, also highlighted the growing demand for electricity driven by the expansion of data centers. “If we don’t meet that demand, that means the AI future is going to be won by the Chinese, because they’re building more solar in a month than we build in a couple of years.” Globally, China currently leads in renewable energy installation, accounting for two-thirds of all new capacity in 2024.
DWP’s long-Term Investment and Cost Savings
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has secured a 25-year, $1.5-billion contract for the power generated by Eland, with an option to purchase the facility outright after 10 years. The project will generate 758 megawatts of solar power and store up to 1,200 megawatt-hours of energy, providing a crucial resource during peak demand.
DWP officials project that Eland will be the lowest-cost energy source in their portfolio, averaging approximately 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. This cost-effectiveness is attributed, in part, to the department’s ability to secure the contract before the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues. Experts emphasize the urgency of deploying such projects, especially as last year was recorded as the hottest on Earth, driven by fossil fuel emissions. The Eland project alone is expected to prevent emissions equivalent to those produced by 120,000 cars annually.
“When the City of Los Angeles first pursued renewable power some twenty years ago, it did so on moral grounds. It was ‘the right thing to do’ to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions,” stated Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of the nonprofit Climate Resolve. “Flash forward to today – and solar power is now the right thing to do economically, producing electricity at a cost lower than that of coal, natural gas and nuclear power.”
Currently,approximately 75% of California’s energy comes from renewable sources. With the addition of Eland, DWP is confident in its ability to meet its 2035 clean energy target, although Quiñones acknowledged that the final 3% to 4% will present the greatest challenge. Nevertheless, she affirmed, “We’re not backing down from that.”
