West


California Energy Commission approves world’s largest battery storage project by Intersect Power
The 4,600 MWh Darden Clean Energy Project battery system, paired with a 1,150 MW solar facility, marks a milestone in California’s market.

Canadian pension fund CDPQ cleared to acquire Innergex Renewable Energy
Innergex Renewable Energy’s U.S. portfolio includes assets in PJM, WACM, and NYISO.

MISO looks to integrate revised fast-track generator study process in joint agreement with SPP
The proposed change aims to streamline the interconnection of commercially ready projects in both RTO footprints, addressing urgent capacity needs.

NV Energy proposes $500M wildfire self-insurance policy, disaster plan cost recovery
Policy aims to mitigate customer financial risk from catastrophic wildfires potentially linked to utility equipment.

Project & PPA Roundup – NextEra, ENGIE
SparkWire’s Power Project & PPA Roundup, compiling in-service dates and power purchase agreements for renewable and fossil generators, for the two weeks ended June 6.

SPP seeks FERC approval to include MISO’s 2023 DPP cycle in joint targeted interconnection queue process
The change aims to streamline interconnection procedures and reduce delays for new generation projects along the MISO-SPP seam.

El Paso Electric to double power sales agreement with Freeport McMoRan
Amendment aims to establish a 200 MW ceiling on exchanges, doubling the current limit.

SPP proposes fix to grid connection process for data centers
The new process aims to address backlog of connection requests by considering planned generation resources.

Arizona Corporation Commission probes cybersecurity risks of Chinese inverters on state grid
Inquiry follows reports of potential “backdoors” and “kill switches” in Chinese-made solar, wind, and battery inverters.

CAISO battery storage growth expected to slow amid 49-percent revenue drop
California, by far the nation’s largest market for battery storage, is expected to see project growth fall over the next four years, with other Western states posting stronger numbers, a new report shows.

Swiss-based investor Partners Group cleared to acquire 2.2 GW of power, storage assets in California
The transaction involves the transfer of ownership of various natural gas-fired power plants, battery storage systems, and power marketing entities.

SPP clears 123 generator interconnection agreements totaling 21 GW in 2024, up 32% from 2023
Shifting fuel mix sees solar, storage, and hybrid or thermal projects dominate interconnection queue, surpassing wind.

Southwest Power Pool plans fast-track generator study to avert looming capacity shortfall in 2027
SPP projects a 17 GW capacity shortfall by 2030, necessitating the accelerated study and integration of new projects to meet resource adequacy and reliability needs.

FERC greenlights BC Investment’s acquisition of stake in Shepherds Flat wind farm
Canadian investor gains 25% ownership in 845 MW Oregon wind farm.

Blackstone’s CalGrid urges FERC approval of incentive rates for $4B offshore wind transmission projects
CalGrid asks FERC to expedite its decision on rate incentives crucial for mitigating risks for two California transmission projects designed to integrate floating offshore wind projects.

Hedge fund Jain Global cleared to acquire California-based energy marketer Anahau Energy
The acquisition follows the launch of the Jain Global hedge fund last year, in which it raised $5.3 billion from investors.

Project & PPA Roundup – AES, National Grid
SparkWire’s Power Project & PPA Roundup, compiling in-service dates and power purchase agreements for renewable and fossil generators, for the week-ended May 16, 2025.

J. Aron’s Aron Energy Prepay 36 seeks broader sales authority after inadvertent Northwest sales
FERC authorization is requested for sales in the Northwest, CAISO, and BANC markets, rectifying inadvertent sales outside current tariff regions.

Western grid faces record load growth, reliability risks from data centers
Data centers in the Western Interconnection are dominating the grid connection queues, accounting for nearly 80% of total requests from large load customers.

SW Weekly Power Project & PPA Roundup – Hanwha Corp., Ørsted A/S
SparkWire’s Power Project & PPA Roundup, compiling in-service dates and power purchase agreements for renewable and fossil generators, for the week-ended May 9.

CAISO predicts ample summer power, but weather remains a wild card
Larger capacity reserves and over 11 GW of battery storage resources are putting the California grid manager on stronger footing as it faces a warmer-than-normal summer.

Bank of America unit cleared to acquire larger stake in GenOn
BofA’s acquisition makes it a top GenOn owner, alongside distressed debt and private equity investor Strategic Value Partners and investment management firm MacKay Shields.

Idaho Power terminates grid connection for long-delayed $2.4B pumped hydro project
The termination follows a three-year suspension and a failure by Cat Creek to provide the required construction deposit.

Goldman Sachs unit gains U.S. approval to acquire California retail electric provider from Shell
The purchase advances the Texas-based retail electric service provider’s plans to expand into other markets.

Repsol set to buy remaining stake in Hecate Energy as part of U.S. expansion
The deal strengthens Repsol’s position in California’s energy storage market and moves it closer to its goal of reaching over 2 GW of U.S. assets by 2025.

SW Weekly Power Project & PPA Roundup – ArcLight Capital Partners, Origis Energy
SparkWire’s Power Project & PPA Roundup, tracking renewable and fossil generator project updates and PPA terms filed with FERC for the week-ended May 2.

Project & PPA Roundup – Blackstone, Clenera Holdings
SparkWire’s Project & PPA Roundup, tracking project details, updates and PPA terms filed with FERC for the week-ended April 25.

FERC probes UNS Energy utilities for potential market power abuse
Tucson Electric, UNS Electric, and UniSource face scrutiny over market-based rates after failing market share tests.

Project & PPA Roundup – NextEra, National Grid
SparkWire’s Project & PPA Roundup, tracking project details, updates and PPA terms filed with FERC for the week-ended April 4.

Billionaire-led Avenue Capital seeks to sell 2.2 GW of California power and storage assets to Swiss-based investor
The deal for gas-fired and storage assets would mark a significant expansion for Partners Group Holding’s CAISO portfolio.

Blackstone acquires CAISO Path 15 transmission rights from Duke
The Path 15 Project upgrades an 84-mile, 500 kV transmission line connecting northern and southern California.

Project Round Up: Eni SpA, Idemitsu Renewables Americas, NextEra Energy, Ormat Technologies
This week’s project roundup features updates and details for development assets by Eni SpA, Idemitsu Renewables Americas Inc., NextEra Energy Inc., Ormat Technologies Inc., and others.

Grupo CLISA subsidiary LED Enterprises seeks FERC approval for 0.8 BCF/d Yuma Pipeline Project in Arizona
The 140-mile pipeline project aims to transport natural gas from an existing interconnection to the U.S.-Mexico border, supporting growing energy demand in the region.

Xcel Energy’s $2B power line sparks legal fight from skiing enclave Aspen
Cities appeal FERC’s decision on the $2 billion transmission project, arguing unfair cost allocation.

Goldman Sachs unit eyes acquisition of California retail electric provider owned by Shell as part of market expansion
A Texas retail energy provider, owned by Goldman Sachs, is making moves to expand into other markets with a new acquisition.

Investment firm seeks long-shot revival of California LNG project, citing Trump administration’s push for U.S. energy dominance
The move to resurrect the long-since scuttled project marks renewed optimism among fossil fuel developers under President Trump.

Repsol seeks full ownership of Hecate Energy as part of U.S. expansion
Repsol North America is seeking FERC approval to acquire 100% ownership of Hecate Energy and its four California-based battery storage facilities.

Blackstone subsidiary cleared to acquire interests in NextEra renewable portfolio spanning West, Southeast
The acquisition is said to mark Blackstone subsidiary’s entry into new balancing authority regions.

FERC rejects Southwest Power Pool’s market reforms for long-lead resources
SPP’s proposal aimed to boost participation for the market’s ~34 gigawatts of slower starting resources.