US-based Avantus announced that it has sold its ‘Big Rock I’ energy storage project in California to Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (GSF). The proceeds from the sale are not disclosed yet. The 200 MW energy storage system is expected to be one of the largest in the region and it is expected to become operational from next year. It aims to offer reliable power and provide resource adequacy and ancillary services to the California independent system operator market. The construction work for the Big Rock I project is due to begin in the second half of 2023.
Recently, in January 2023, Intersect Power, a US-based renewable energy provider began its commercial operations at Athos III, a 224 MWac/310 MWp solar project in Riverside County, California. With its 448 MWh of co-located battery storage, Athos III can provide power for roughly 94,000 houses. The project generated 500 peak union employment during the construction phase.
Also, in December 2022, the US government announced that California’s first auction of offshore wind construction rights received more than $757 million in winning bids, the majority of which came from European companies. The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) auctioned off five lease areas on the state’s Outer Continental Shelf, totaling 73,268 acres. As provisional auction winners, BOEM selected RWE Offshore Wind, California North Floating, Equinor Wind US, Central California Offshore Wind, and Invenergy California Offshore.
