In a landmark move for the global clean energy sector, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has officially approved the Darden Clean Energy Project, the first initiative to receive fast-track approval under its Opt-In Certification program. This ambitious project will integrate 1.1 GW of solar capacity with a massive 4.6 GW battery energy storage system (BESS), providing enough electricity to power 850,000 homes for four hours.
According to the CEC, the Darden project is poised to become the largest solar-plus-storage project in the world, setting a new benchmark for utility-scale clean energy infrastructure and long-duration storage.
A Flagship Project in California’s Energy Future
The Darden Clean Energy Project is being developed by IP Darden I, LLC, a subsidiary of San Francisco-based Intersect Power, a company already managing a base portfolio of 2.2 GW of solar and 2.4 GWh of battery storage either operational or under construction. With an additional 4 GW of solar and 10 GWh of storage planned for 2025, Intersect Power is emerging as a key player in the renewable energy transition.
The Darden facility will be located on 9,500 acres in western Fresno County, repurposing land no longer viable for agricultural use. It will connect to the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) grid, significantly contributing to California’s path toward 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045, a goal mandated by state legislation.
“The transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 requires bold, utility-scale projects like Darden,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “This project is significant not only for its size but its cutting-edge design and safety measures.”
What Is the Opt-In Certification Program?
The Opt-In Certification Program, authorized by Assembly Bill 205 in 2022, is designed to streamline the approval process for large-scale renewable energy projects. Under the law, the CEC must review submitted applications within 30 days and determine completeness. After that, the CEC is given 270 days to complete the environmental review.
In addition to simplifying bureaucracy, the program mandates that approved projects pay prevailing wages and provide direct community and economic benefits—ensuring that clean energy development also promotes local prosperity.
Community-Centered Development
The Darden project is expected to create over 2,000 construction jobs across a 1.5 to 3-year period. Developers have also pledged $2 million in community investment over the next decade. The first installment of $320,000 will support Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, a nonprofit that works with crime victims, promotes family wellness, and enhances civic engagement in rural communities.
“Today’s clean energy projects must do more than just deliver megawatts,” said CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo. “They should create value in the communities where they’re built.”
Battery Storage: Powering the Future — Safely
California is already a national leader in battery energy storage, with over 200 utility-scale systems and more than 250,000 residential and commercial installations. Battery storage is key to grid reliability, storing excess energy during peak solar generation and dispatching it when demand rises or production drops—especially in the evening or during outages.
However, the rapid expansion of BESS infrastructure has raised safety concerns, especially after the Moss Landing fire at a Vistra Energy lithium-ion plant in early 2024. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom initiated updates to the California Fire Code and pushed for stricter fire safety regulations for lithium-ion storage.
Shortly after the fire, Assembly Bill 303, known as the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act, was introduced. If passed, it would:
- Ban BESS facilities of 200MWh or more within 3,200 feet of sensitive areas
- Restrict development on environmentally sensitive lands
- Repeal prior fast-tracking provisions that had eased BESS permitting in 2022
These new standards aim to enhance public safety while balancing the state’s urgent need for large-scale clean energy.
Despite isolated incidents, BESS deployments are accelerating. According to Wood Mackenzie, the U.S. added 7.9 GW of grid-scale energy storage in 2023—a 98% increase over 2022, with incident rates remaining relatively flat. This suggests that, on a per-unit basis, storage systems are becoming safer even as they scale up rapidly.
Intersect Power: A Clean Energy Powerhouse
The Darden project reflects Intersect Power’s larger ambition. With $4 billion in current projects and an additional $9 billion in upcoming assets, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the solar-plus-storage transformation.
“California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need – now with the world’s largest solar and battery project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a record amount of clean energy capacity added last year, we’re creating jobs and supporting local communities – all while building a cleaner, more reliable power grid.”
Conclusion: A Milestone for Renewable Energy Globally
The Darden Clean Energy Project represents more than just a leap forward for California—it is a symbol of how regulatory reform, private investment, community engagement, and technological innovation can come together to drive the global transition to a low-carbon future.
With 1.1 GW of solar, 4.6 GW of battery storage, and a fully approved fast-track regulatory path, Darden stands as a model for other states—and nations—seeking scalable clean energy infrastructure.
As the demand for clean, dispatchable power increases, the lessons from the Darden project could become a blueprint for how to responsibly build the energy grid of tomorrow.
