Soda Mountain Solar + Battery Storage — 300 MW utility-scale solar PV + 300 MW / 1,200 MWh BESS, ~2,670 acres of BLM land in San Bernardino County, California; first major project approved under the California Energy Commission's Opt-In Certification expedited review

California Energy Commission certified the Final EIR and authorized the project under SB 149's Opt-In Certification — the first utility-scale renewable to clear the expedited state review. Includes a redesigned bighorn sheep migration corridor and a community benefits agreement with Friends of El Mirage. Same Vitol/VC Renewables platform that recently delivered the Medway BESS in Massachusetts (tc-2026-002). Still subject to BLM right-of-way approval.

Deal Details

Deal Type

Permitting

Seller / Sponsor

Soda Mountain Solar, LLC (subsidiary of VC Renewables / Vitol)

Deal Value

$700M (project capex)

Stage

Pre-construction

ISO/RTO

CAISO

Source

California Energy Commission