U.S. generating capacity expanded by a net 641 MW in April due to new capacity additions, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
A total of 13 generation units entered service. Solar accounted for 38%, or 241 MW, of completed capacity, while wind assumed 31% with 201 MW, followed by energy storage at 29% with 183 MW. Wind and solar together accounted for 69% of total capacity additions in April sited at locations across the nation.
Six new power plant units with a total capacity of 2,850 MW were announced, of which solar units located in Texas and Michigan accounted for 63%.
There were no plants retired during the month.
Completed
The 201-MW Golden Hills Wind Farm constructed on pasture and farmland in Sherman County, Ore., led capacity additions in April. Utility Puget Sound Energy Inc. headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., signed a power purchase agreement for the entire output of the 51-turbine wind project to supplement its mix of owned and contracted electricity generation sources. The facility was acquired by Avangrid Inc. subsidiary Avangrid Renewables LLC in 2017 from developer Orion Wind Resources LLC.
The 183-MW Tesla Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage Project (Elkhorn) in Monterey County, Calif., was the next-largest addition. The plant is jointly owned by utility PG&E Corp. and Fluence Energy Inc. and was developed with Tesla Megapack batteries by Tesla Inc. The project was originally anticipated to be operational by the end of 2020 but was delayed due to supply chain issues.
Central Line Solar Project (Eloy Solar) was completed in April providing 100-MW of solar power to large commercial customers in Ariz. through a 15-year contract with Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District Arizona or SRP, under its Sustainable Energy Offering. According to SRP, the Central Line Solar Project will reduce CO2 emissions by 520,000 tons and will help the company reach its goal of cutting carbon emissions intensity by 90% by 2050.
Announced
The 600-MW Repsol Solar Project PV 1 unit topped the list of announced projects in April. The project, to be located in Texas, is owned by Repsol SA. It has an estimated cost of $780.0 million and an expected completion in December 2023.
With matching capacity, Gridflex Energy's planned 600-MW Pond Peak Pumped Storage Project unit in Washoe County, Nev. is slated to enter service in late 2032. The project will supply power within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. region.
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