Clark County, Nev., Nov. 22, 2024 – Executives from Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer) and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, celebrate the ribbon cutting for Yellow Pine Energy Center II, a large-scale solar and battery energy storage project.
Yellow Pine Energy Center II, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, located on about 1,000 acres in Clark County, will generate up to 125 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable electricity and has a 4-hour, 85 MW capacity of battery energy storage.
The energy storage component of this project uses batteries to store renewable energy and make it available even when the sun isn’t shining, improving the reliability and efficiency of the electric grid and making renewable energy more accessible.
Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) agency Pioneer Community Energy will provide 60 MW of clean, American-sourced solar energy and 53 MW of battery energy storage capacity to their service areas of over 170,000 meters and a population of more than 800,000.
Pioneer, a locally owned, not-for-profit electricity provider, has saved customers in Placer and El Dorado counties, Grass Valley, and Nevada City more than $85 million since 2018, focusing on competitive rates, exceptional local service, and a choice in energy options, including its exclusive Green100 product which is comprised completely of renewable energy.
“Pioneer is proud to collaborate with NextEra Energy Resources to provide our residents and businesses with clean, reliable and affordable power,” said Pioneer Board Chair and Auburn City Councilmember Alice Dowdin Calvillo. “The Yellow Pine Energy Center II not only provides solar energy capacity but great value with the 4-hour discharge battery pairing. As California summers continue to bring extreme heat and high electricity demand, the ability to discharge energy during peak hours is critical as we transition to a clean grid.”
Including the recently commissioned Yellow Pine Energy Center II, Pioneer has signed seven power purchase agreements, totaling 172 MW of clean energy and 59 MW of battery energy storage to date.
“We are pleased to work with Pioneer Community Energy to bring a new solar and battery storage energy center online,” said Petter Skantze, vice president of infrastructure development at NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of wind and solar energy, and a world leader in battery energy storage. “This solar and battery energy storage project will generate low-cost energy and provide essential reliability when it is needed most, while providing millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to Clark County over the life of the project.”
Construction created hundreds of jobs and stimulated the purchase of regional goods and services from local vendors. Over the next 35 years, Yellow Pine Energy Center II is expected to generate millions in additional revenue for Clark County.
Additional information can be found at PioneerCommunityEnergy.org
