A solar project to be built on approximately 2,600 acres of public lands in California managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has final approval.
The Oberon Solar Project “will generate up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy and have capacity for 200 megawatts of battery storage,” when it is constructed near Desert Center, Calif., in eastern Riverside County, according to a Jan. 13 news release announcing the initial approval.
“This solar project is the third project approved for full construction under the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and an example of how public land in California plays a big role in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035,” said Karen Mouritsen, BLM California state director, according to a July 13 news release announcing final approval. “The BLM is committed to responsible renewable energy development that balances conservation and utilization of public land.”
The July news release reported, “The project will generate up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 146,000 homes, and includes 500 megawatts of battery storage.”
Oberon Solar LLC, has been authorized a right-of-way “to construct, operate, maintain and decommission a photovoltaic solar facility,” creating “750 union construction jobs and eight permanent jobs,” the January release said.
At the time of the initial approval announcement in January, the Desert Sun reported “past documents indicate construction could begin as soon as February, with $2.6 billion in funding already obtained for the work and similar renewable projects.”
The Bureau of Land Management solicited public comments on the Oberon Solar Project in August 2021. Following that period, Oberon was named one of three projects the Bureau of Land Management would pursue in December 2021, Interior Newswire reported Jan. 28.
