By Alicia Venter | West Valley View
Renewable energy project developer and owner DESRI has broken ground on its latest solar farm and storage energy facility in Buckeye, taking advantage of the city’s sprawling, undeveloped land to provide a new source of local clean energy for Arizonans.
The Catclaw Power and Storage Project, officially under construction after a groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, is a 250-megawatt (MWac) photovoltaic solar facility and 250-MWac battery storage energy system. The project is approximately 1,618 acres large, with a local substation connecting it to the regional electrical grid through the Arizona Public Service (APS) Sun Valley Substation. DESRI acquired the project in 2024, and completion is expected at the end of the second quarter 2026. The project will serve APS customers throughout the state.
“As we break ground on this project, it represents not only innovation and clean energy, but collaboration, perseverance and progress,” said Derek Seaman, APS director of resource acquisition. “At APS, we are planning for fast paced growth…As we fast-forward to next year and our hot summer temperatures, we look forward to having the Catclaw project online, keeping our lights running, our air conditionings running and keeping our customers cool.”
