Avantus and Clean Power Alliance Sign Long-Term Agreement for Rexford 2 Solar and Storage Project in California
Avantus and Clean Power Alliance (CPA) have entered into a significant long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) that will support the development of the Rexford 2 solar and energy storage project in Tulare County, California. The 20-year agreement marks another major investment in the state’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient electricity system while addressing the growing demand for reliable power resources across Southern California.
The Rexford 2 project will combine 200 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of solar generation capacity with a 200-megawatt battery energy storage system capable of delivering 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of stored electricity. Once operational, the integrated facility is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply approximately 84,000 homes in Southern California, helping communities access dependable renewable power while reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based generation.
Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2027, with the facility anticipated to reach operational status in late 2028. Commercial operations under the newly signed agreement are scheduled to commence in May 2029. Avantus intends to retain ownership and operate the project after completion, further strengthening its position as an independent power producer (IPP) and expanding its portfolio of renewable energy assets throughout the western United States.
The agreement comes at a critical time for California’s electricity sector. Rising population growth, increasing electrification of transportation and buildings, and the rapid expansion of data centers and industrial facilities are all contributing to higher energy demand. At the same time, the state continues to pursue ambitious decarbonization goals, creating a growing need for renewable energy projects that can provide both clean electricity generation and reliable grid support.
Valerie Barros, Executive Vice President of Origination and Energy Markets at Avantus, emphasized the importance of developing projects capable of meeting California’s future energy needs.
According to Barros, the company is proud to advance and operate projects that provide clean and dependable electricity while supporting local economies. She noted that the partnership with Clean Power Alliance will contribute to grid reliability, create quality employment opportunities, generate local revenues, and help California achieve its long-term clean energy objectives.
The inclusion of large-scale battery storage is one of the defining features of the Rexford 2 project. Battery systems have become increasingly important in California’s energy landscape because they can store excess solar power generated during daylight hours and discharge electricity during periods of high demand, particularly during evening peaks when solar production declines.
For Clean Power Alliance, the project represents an opportunity to secure long-term renewable energy supplies while shielding customers from fluctuations in wholesale energy markets. The fixed-price structure of the PPA provides cost certainty and allows the organization to continue delivering competitively priced clean electricity to millions of customers across its service territory.
Lindsay Descagnia, Vice President of Power Supply at CPA, described Rexford 2 as a strategic investment in California’s energy future. She highlighted that the project combines renewable generation with battery storage, enabling electricity to be delivered when it is needed most while helping customers avoid exposure to market volatility and rising energy prices.
Beyond its energy and environmental benefits, the project is expected to generate significant economic value for Tulare County and the surrounding region. During peak construction activity, Rexford 2 is anticipated to support more than 500 union jobs, providing employment opportunities for skilled workers across various trades. In addition to temporary construction positions, the project will create permanent operational and maintenance roles that will contribute to long-term economic development in the area.
The economic impact extends further through local tax revenues. Project developers estimate that Rexford 2 will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax contributions over its operational lifetime. These revenues can support essential public services, infrastructure improvements, schools, emergency services, and other community programs that benefit local residents.
As part of the project’s technology framework, Fluence will supply its Smartstack™ battery energy storage solution. The use of domestically manufactured steel and components aligns with broader industry trends aimed at strengthening local supply chains and supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities. Increasing domestic content in renewable energy projects has become an important priority in the United States, helping improve supply chain resilience while creating additional economic opportunities.
Avantus has also emphasized its commitment to responsible project development and community engagement. The company indicated that Rexford 2 will be constructed on previously disturbed land, reducing potential environmental impacts and limiting disruption to sensitive ecosystems. By utilizing land that has already experienced prior disturbance, the project seeks to balance renewable energy expansion with environmental stewardship.
The development will also create new economic opportunities for private landowners in the region. Renewable energy projects increasingly provide diversified income sources for landowners while enabling rural communities to participate directly in the clean energy transition.
The Rexford 2 agreement further highlights Avantus’ broader growth strategy across key western markets. The company currently maintains an extensive development portfolio spanning California, Nevada, and Arizona, consisting of approximately 13 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity and 44 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage projects.
Under its expanding independent power producer strategy, Avantus aims to significantly increase its operational asset base over the coming years. The company is targeting the deployment of approximately 5 GW of system capacity by 2030, reflecting its ambition to become a major owner and operator of renewable energy infrastructure in the region.
Avantus has already made substantial progress toward these objectives. The company expects 788 MW of projects to reach commercial operation while approximately 800 MW of additional capacity is anticipated to be under construction by the end of the year. These milestones demonstrate the company’s accelerating transition from a pure project developer into a long-term renewable energy owner and operator.
The Rexford 2 project represents another important step in California’s ongoing energy transformation. By combining utility-scale solar generation with substantial battery storage capacity, the facility is designed to support grid reliability, deliver affordable renewable electricity, and help meet the state’s ambitious climate targets.
As California continues to increase renewable energy adoption and electrify major sectors of its economy, projects such as Rexford 2 are expected to play a vital role in ensuring that clean energy remains both reliable and economically sustainable. Through collaboration between developers like Avantus and community choice aggregators such as Clean Power Alliance, the state is building the infrastructure necessary to support a low-carbon energy future while delivering meaningful economic and environmental benefits to local communities.
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