California Energy Commission Approves World’s Largest Solar and Battery Storage Project in Fresno County

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CEC Approves World’s Largest Solar + Battery Storage Project in Fresno County Under Accelerated Permitting Program

For Immediate Release: June 12, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Darden Clean Energy Project will advance California’s goal of achieving 100% clean electricity, enhance grid resilience, generate local jobs, and invest in communities. It demonstrates that large-scale clean energy projects can be expedited under the state’s new accelerated permitting process.

SACRAMENTO – The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the Darden Clean Energy Project (DCEP), marking the first project to gain approval through the state’s Opt-In Certification program. Once completed, DCEP will stand as the largest battery energy storage system globally, underscoring California’s leadership in clean energy innovation and infrastructure.

Authorized by Assembly Bill 205, the Opt-In Certification program provides a streamlined state permitting option for eligible clean energy initiatives, aiding California’s transition to 100 percent zero-carbon retail electric sales by 2045, as mandated by Senate Bill 100. Under this statute, environmental reviews for projects must be completed within 270 days once the application is deemed complete, unless significant changes require additional review time.

“California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need – now with the world’s largest solar and battery project,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a record amount of clean energy capacity added last year, we’re creating jobs and supporting local communities – all while building a cleaner, more reliable power grid.”

DCEP will be constructed on 9,500 acres of land in western Fresno County, which is no longer suitable for agricultural use. The project will feature a 1,150-megawatt (MW) solar facility with approximately 3.1 million panels, alongside up to 1,150 MW (4,600 megawatt-hours) of battery storage—enough to supply power to 850,000 homes for four hours. The project is owned by IP Darden I, LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power.

Projects seeking approval through the Opt-In Certification program are required to deliver community and economic benefits. The DCEP includes:
– $2 million in community investments over the next decade, starting with a $320,000 commitment to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, a nonprofit that supports crime victims, family wellness, and civic engagement in rural communities.
– More than 2,000 prevailing-wage construction jobs to support the local workforce during the construction period, which is expected to last from 1.5 to 3 years.
– An estimated $169 million in economic benefits to the local area over the project’s anticipated 35-year lifespan.

“Today’s clean energy projects must do more than just deliver megawatts. They should create value in the communities where they’re built,” emphasized CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo. “This project exemplifies a community-focused approach that advances the state’s energy goals while providing benefits for local workers and residents.”

Battery storage systems are crucial for California’s clean energy future as they store surplus energy produced during peak generation periods and release it when demand is high or generation decreases, such as in the evening.

“The transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 necessitates bold, utility-scale projects like Darden,” remarked CEC Chair David Hochschild. “This project is significant not only for its size but also for its cutting-edge design and safety measures.”

As California rapidly increases its battery storage capacity, safety remains a top priority. In 2024, Governor Newsom launched a state-level collaborative aimed at enhancing safety standards for battery storage systems through cross-agency cooperation. Key initiatives include updates to the California Fire Code to incorporate specific fire safety requirements for stationary lithium-ion battery storage systems and the California Public Utilities Commission’s approval of new safety standards and improved oversight of emergency plans for grid-scale battery energy storage systems.

California leads the U.S. in battery storage capacity, trailing only China globally, with over 200 utility-scale systems and more than 250,000 commercial and residential installations, totaling over 15,700 megawatts statewide.

The Darden project builds on a series of clean energy records recently achieved in California. For three out of every five days last year, California’s main grid operated on 100 percent clean energy for part of the day. This trend continued into 2025, with the grid reaching 100 percent clean energy on 138 out of 151 days, or 91 percent of the days up to May. In 2024, the state added 7,000 megawatts of clean energy capacity to the grid, marking the largest single-year increase in state history, and has added 25,000 megawatts of capacity over the past five years.

For further information about the Darden project, please view the fact sheet – PDF and watch the YouTube Shorts video.

### About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, promoting energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.
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