EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA) has officially inaugurated its Scarlet II Solar Energy Park, a 200 megawatt (MW) solar power facility located in Fresno County, California. This project marks the second phase of the broader Scarlet Solar Energy Park initiative, following the successful launch of Scarlet I in 2024. Scarlet I includes 200 MW of solar generation capacity and a 40 MW/160 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS).
Scarlet II builds on this foundation by adding another 200 MW of solar capacity and a significantly larger co-located 150 MW/600 MWh BESS, enhancing the project’s ability to support grid stability and improve energy reliability. The entire solar output from Scarlet II is secured under a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA), while the capacity associated with the battery storage system is contracted through long-term Resource Adequacy (RA) agreements with Ava Community Energy and San José Clean Energy. These agreements play a key role in supporting California’s Resource Adequacy Program, which ensures utilities and other load-serving entities have enough energy supply to meet demand and maintain grid reliability.
The development of Scarlet II reinforces EDPR NA’s continued expansion in California’s Central Valley. With over 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar, wind, and storage capacity now operational in the state, the company has established itself as one of California’s major renewable energy providers. Scarlet II is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 68,000 homes annually.
Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America, said in a statement, “After our successful launch of Scarlet I, we are thrilled to add Scarlet II to our portfolio and build on our record of delivering energy reliability and resiliency for Fresno County and the Golden State. We are proud that our meaningful partnerships and investments in the community helped generate strong local support for the expansion of Scarlet Solar Energy Park.”
Beyond energy generation, the project brings significant economic benefits to the local community. Over its operational life, Scarlet II will contribute millions of dollars in tax payments to local governments and support local businesses through spending at gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments. The construction phase alone created more than 140 jobs and resulted in over $1.5 million spent within the state.
EDPR NA also maintained a strong focus on sustainability during construction through its Close the Loop Program. Working with EPC partner Rosendin and local recyclers, the company recycled more than 1,757 tons of construction materials, achieving a recycling rate of nearly 62%. This effort highlights EDPR NA’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship as it continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio in the U.S.
