CIM Group has brought its 250MW Aquamarine PV project online, the first utility-scale development within the 8100-hectare Westlands Solar Park (WSP).
Construction of Aquamarine began in 2020 and concluded at year-end 2021, on time and on budget, at which time it began contributing renewable energy to the California grid.
WSP is one of the largest permitted solar parks in the US, with the capacity to grow to more than 2.7GW at full build-out and with the potential to provide electricity to more than 1,200,000 homes.
The master-planned WSP is located in California’s San Joaquin Valley in western Fresno and Kings Counties and is designed to be developed as multiple projects to meet the needs of public and private utilities, businesses and other energy consumers.
CIM Group said it anticipates commencing construction of additional solar projects within WSP in this year.
CIM Group co-founder and principal Avi Shemesh said: “CIM Group’s commitment to becoming a resource for renewable energy, such as at Aquamarine and the future projects within Westlands Solar Park, aligns with our company’s overarching directive, to meet the needs of communities.
“We anticipate that approximately $3bn (€2.6bn) will be invested in developing projects within Westlands Solar Park as we complete build out, continuing the creation of clean energy construction jobs, economic development throughout the region and contributing renewable energy to meet California’s clean energy goals.”
Aquamarine is now generating power for the California grid and delivering on its previously executed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for renewable energy credits associated with 75MW of capacity
It also holds a 50MW contract with Valley Clean Energy Alliance, and with the City of Santa Clara (Silicon Valley Power) for renewable energy credits associated with 75MW of capacity.
CIM Group is currently negotiating additional PPAs with other potential counterparties for Aquamarine and future projects within WSP.