Avangrid, Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group and a major player in the U.S. renewable energy sector, has announced that its Camino Solar project in Kern County, California, has officially entered commercial operation. The facility adds 57 megawatts direct current (MWdc) or 44 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of new solar energy capacity to the grid. As Avangrid’s seventh energy project in California, Camino is now supplying clean electricity to approximately 14,000 homes.
The Camino Solar project is part of Avangrid’s broader strategy to support growing national energy demand, which is projected to rise significantly over the next two decades. A recent study by S & P Global estimates that power demand in the U.S. could increase by up to 50% by 2040, largely due to the expansion of energy-intensive industries such as data centers. Projects like Camino are designed to help meet that demand while enhancing grid reliability and supporting economic growth.
The construction phase of Camino Solar involved the installation of 105,000 solar panels and created about 100 local construction jobs, the majority of which were filled by union workers. Beyond clean energy production, the project is expected to generate around $15 million in tax revenue over its lifetime, contributing to essential state and local services, particularly in education. Additionally, it will provide approximately $150,000 in annual lease payments to participating landowners, offering long-term income opportunities for the local community. Portions of the project were also developed on public lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Hertz Ramirez, Business Manager for Local 220, said in a statement, “LiUNA! Local 220 worked closely with Avangrid and its contractors on this project and we are happy to see that it is complete. This effort brought meaningful, union careers to local Apprentices and Journeymen right here in Kern County, offering not just great wages, but strong benefits like healthcare, vacation pay, pension and an annuity.”
Brian Holt, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 428, stated, “The completion of Avangrid’s Camino Solar project marks a proud moment for our union. Our members brought skill, commitment, and craftsmanship to every stage of the project. This facility isn’t just generating reliable energy—it’s generating good jobs, strong benefits, and meaningful career paths for people in our community. Projects like this help power a more sustainable future, both environmentally and economically.”
With the completion of Camino, Avangrid now operates seven renewable energy facilities across California, with a combined capacity of about 600 megawatts, enough to power roughly 150,000 homes each year. The company employs 44 people across the state and remains committed to long-term community investment. In the past year alone, Avangrid’s California operations contributed more than $7.5 million in state and local taxes and nearly $6 million in lease payments to landowners, further supporting local economies across the state.
