he California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the landmark Darden Clean Energy Project (DCEP), set to become the world’s largest battery energy storage facility. This is the first project to be permitted under the state’s Opt-In Certification program, designed to accelerate clean energy development.
Backed by Assembly Bill 205, the Opt-In Certification program streamlines the permitting process, mandating an environmental review within 270 days of application completeness—unless extended for significant project changes. This initiative supports California’s legal commitment to achieving 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045, as outlined in Senate Bill 100.
Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the milestone, stating, “California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need — now with the world’s largest solar and battery project.”
DCEP will be developed on 9,500 acres of retired agricultural land in western Fresno County by IP Darden I, LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power. The project will feature a 1,150-megawatt solar installation comprising roughly 3.1 million panels and a matching 1,150 MW (4,600 MWh) of battery storage. This system is capable of powering approximately 850,000 homes for four hours.
Beyond energy generation, the project promises significant economic and social benefits. It includes over 2,000 prevailing-wage construction jobs, a $2 million investment in local community programs over the next decade, and an estimated $169 million in economic impact over its projected 35-year lifespan. Initial community funding includes a $320,000 contribution to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services.
CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo highlighted the community-first approach: “Clean energy projects must create value for the places they’re built. Darden achieves that.”
As California expands its grid-scale battery capacity—already second globally only to China—state agencies are also prioritizing safety. New fire safety codes and oversight measures for lithium-ion storage systems are being implemented in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission and state fire agencies.
The Darden project joins a string of clean energy achievements in California, which added a record 7,000 MW of new capacity in 2024 and has reached 100% clean energy on 91% of days so far in 2025.
