Avantus has announced the sale of the Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage Project to D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI). Located in Buckeye, Arizona, the project boasts up to 225 MWac of solar capacity and 250 MW/1,000 MWh of energy storage. The deal includes a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Arizona Public Service (APS). Avantus managed the initial development phases, including site acquisition, permitting, interconnection, and commercial negotiations with APS, as well as procuring key equipment like batteries.
“At Avantus, we are dedicated to advancing the transition to a sustainable economy through the development of safe and reliable clean energy projects,” said Jason Moretz, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Development at Avantus. “Catclaw exemplifies this commitment by providing economic and environmental benefits to Arizona and the local community while helping to meet the rising power demands during heatwaves. This announcement marks the first Arizona project in our portfolio to reach this milestone and strengthens our ongoing relationship with DESRI.”
Catclaw is the fourth project that Avantus has sold to DESRI, which plans to bring it online in 2026.
“DESRI is delighted to continue our partnership with Avantus, a leading U.S. developer of utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage projects,” said Robert Schoenherr, Chief Strategy Officer of DESRI. “Projects like Catclaw reflect our commitment to advancing clean energy investment nationwide. We are proud to add Catclaw to our Arizona portfolio and welcome APS as a new customer.”
The Catclaw project is expected to generate approximately 325 jobs during peak construction and will provide tax revenues to the City of Buckeye, Maricopa County, and Arizona throughout its construction and operational lifespan. It is projected to offset over 470,000 metric tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to removing about 100,000 gas-powered cars from the road each year. The project’s substantial storage capacity positions Catclaw to effectively address peak demand, particularly during extreme temperatures, thereby enhancing the resiliency and reliability of Arizona’s electrical grid.
Designed with open spaces between solar arrays to minimize disruption to natural drainage patterns and protect important wildlife corridors, this innovative approach was developed in collaboration with Avantus, the City of Buckeye, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Avantus is expanding its presence across the Southwest, which now comprises over a third of its development portfolio. Nationwide, Avantus is developing one of the largest pipelines of solar and energy storage projects in the U.S., including 30 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 94 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage.
