AES buys 2 GW solar PV and energy storage project in USA

The AES Corporation has announced its acquisition of Avantus' 2 GW Bellefield project, currently in late-stage development and the largest permitted solar-plus-storage project in the USA. Located in Kern County, California, the project includes two phases, each with 500 MW of solar and up to 500 MW of four-hour duration battery energy storage.

The first phase of the hybrid facility has a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement to supply hourly, carbon-free energy to one of AES's existing corporate customers. AES plans to contract for additional solar-plus-storage capacity by the end of 2023.

The development is in line with California's goal of reaching 100% carbon-free energy by 2045. The two phases of the project were developed by the seller, Avantus, and are expected to come online in 2025 and 2026, respectively.