AES Completes Phase One of the Largest Solar-Plus-Storage Project in the US
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Power company AES Corporation has successfully finished the construction of the 1,000MW Bellefield 1 project in Kern County, California. This ambitious project comprises 500MW of solar energy along with 500MW and 2,000MWh of battery storage. Bellefield 1 is part of a larger initiative, Bellefield, which consists of two phases, each featuring 500MW of solar power and a 500MW four-hour battery energy storage system (BESS).
Once fully completed, the entire Bellefield project will reach a total capacity of 2,000MW, combining 1,000MW of solar power with 1,000MW and 4,000MWh of BESS. This will position it as the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the United States. The project has secured a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Amazon.
Originally acquired by AES from project developer Avantus in 2023, the Bellefield project has created over 700 union jobs during the construction of Bellefield 1, with an anticipated peak of about 1,000 union jobs for the construction of Bellefield 2. AES expects to see significant earnings from Bellefield 1 once it becomes operational in the second half of 2025. The construction of Bellefield 2 is slated for completion in 2026.
To enhance the construction process, AES utilized Maximo, an AI-enabled robotic system that improves the safety, speed, and accuracy of solar module installations. This robotic arm allows for the installation of solar panels in what AES claims is half the time and cost compared to traditional methods.
Recent financial disclosures from AES indicate that the company is partnering with US or South Korean suppliers to fulfill approximately 80% of its battery requirements for 2026 and 2027. Additionally, AES has imported all the batteries necessary for its upcoming projects this year. This positions AES favorably to ensure the timely launch of Bellefield 1 and the completion of Bellefield 2 as planned. Once operational, the Bellefield project will surpass the Edwards & Sanborn project in California, making it the largest solar-plus-storage project in the US.
Andrés Gluski, President and CEO of AES, stated regarding Bellefield 1: “Completing the first 1,000 MW of Bellefield demonstrates how rapidly solar and storage can be deployed to meet the growing energy demand of data centers.”
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