Desert Bloom Storage is a 600 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) project while Papago Solar is a 150MWac solar PV plant. Both are in Maricopa County and will start construction next year for commercial operation in 2026.
It follows the pair signing a toll for the 1.2GWh Papago BESS last year. A toll would typically see Recurrent Energy build and own the project, while APS would pay it a fixed fee to use its energy and power as needed.
Desert Bloom, Papago Solar and Papago Storage total 1.8GWh of storage and 150MW of solar PV that Recurrent will provide APS from 2026 onwards.
Recurrent is part of solar module and BESS manufacturer Canadian Solar, which typically provides the BESS and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) on its own projects.
Arizona plans to add 7.6GW of solar, 1.7GW of wind and 5.9GW of BESS by 2030 to decarbonise its electricity grid, which is currently 12% renewables, and meet increasing demand, Recurrent said. Most large-scale BESS in the state have long-term tolls with utilities in place.
The largest BESS in the state came online recently, a 1.2GWh system at a solar-plus-storage project from Danish IPP and utility SRP which will primarily provide energy to a data centre from tech giant Meta.
Avantus sells solar and storage project to D. E. Shaw
Meanwhile, developer Avantus has completed the sale of its 225MW PV, 250MW/1,000MWh storage Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage project to D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI).
That project also has a long-term toll, in this case described as a power purchase agreement (PPA) by Avantus, with APS, and will also come online in 2026.
It is also in Maricopa County, which is where around 60% of the state’s seven million-strong population live and also encompasses the capital Phoenix.
Avantus did initial greenfield development including interconnection, site acquisition and permitting, as well as commercial negotiations with APS and the procurement of select equipment, including the BESS.
The project is designed with open spaces between the solar arrays to minimise disturbance to natural drainage patterns and preserve important wildlife corridors, Avantus said.
