LRE Commences Operations at Chaparral Springs BESS, Advancing a Portfolio of Six Clean Energy Projects in California Totaling 470 MW

Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC (LRE) announced that its 88-megawatt (MW) / 352 megawatt-hour (MWh) Chaparral Springs Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is now fully operational in Kern County, California. Designed to strengthen grid reliability and deliver flexible, dispatchable power, the BESS is part of a broader, multi-phase initiative that also includes a 174 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar facility—both developed, owned, and operated by LRE. With additional projects slated to come online in the coming months, LRE is expanding its California portfolio to help meet the state’s growing demand for reliable, clean energy. Together, these projects mark a significant milestone in LRE’s expanding California footprint, with six operational clean energy facilities now totaling 470 MW of capacity.

Chaparral Springs BESS is a 4-hour energy storage system designed to store solar energy during low-demand periods or when solar production exceeds grid capacity. This stored energy can be dispatched during peak demand or when solar is unavailable, enhancing overall grid stability and flexibility. The energy generated will serve Peninsula Clean Energy and Valley Clean Energy under two 15-year power purchase agreements (PPAs).

“We are proud to partner with the Peninsula Clean Energy and the Valley Clean Energy in bringing Chaparral Springs BESS online,” said Willem van der Ven, Chief Operating Officer at LRE. “This project underscores our continued commitment to helping meet California’s growing demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy. BESS technologies play a vital role in enabling the broader deployment of utility-scale renewables by delivering clean power when it’s needed most. Our investments across the country reflect the growing need for a diverse, safe energy infrastructure that reinforces grid reliability and meets evolving energy demands.”

LRE’s six operating projects in California now deliver enough clean electricity to power approximately 184,445 homes annually while offsetting nearly 198,410 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year.

As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, LRE signed an agreement with the National Audubon Society and Kern Audubon Society to contribute $150,000 toward research and conservation efforts for the Swainson’s Hawk in the Antelope Valley. (Read more about LRE’s partnership on the Rabbitbrush Solar project here.)

Beyond environmental benefits, the Chaparral Springs project also delivers meaningful economic impact to Kern County—supporting local services through community donations, generating significant sales and property tax revenue, and creating 100 local jobs at the peak of construction. It will continue to contribute to long-term energy affordability and grid resilience for residents and businesses across the region.

“Chaparral Springs BESS helps Valley Clean Energy deliver on its promise to provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to the communities we serve,” said Mitch Sears, Valley Clean Energy Chief Executive Officer. “As the energy demand grows for homes and businesses, projects like this are critical for adding carbon-free capacity and improving grid reliability.”

“We are excited to have Chaparral Springs come online as one of our first hybrid solar+storage projects,” said Peninsula Clean Energy Chief Executive Officer Shawn Marshall. “Our customers will benefit from the solar power it generates, along with the added capacity and reliability that comes with the battery component of the project.”

Leeward Renewable Energy | https://www.lreus.com/