EDF power solutions and Masdar have commenced clean energy deliveries to Southern California Edison from the restructured 128 MW ac BigBeau solar-plus-storage project in Kern County. The 15-year contract provides electricity and 160 MWh battery storage capacity to the CAISO grid, mitigating evening net peak shortages, ensuring grid reliability and shielding the utility from wholesale price volatility.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name: BigBeau Solar+Storage Project
Co-Owners: EDF power solutions North America & Masdar
Offtaker (Buyer): Southern California Edison (SCE)
Location: Kern County, California
Grid Operator: California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Solar Capacity: 128 MW ac
Storage Capacity: 40 MW / 160 MWh (Lithium-ion battery)
Contract Terms: 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Delivery Start Date: February 1, 2026
Regulatory Alignment: CPUC Resource Adequacy Standards
EDF power solutions North America, along with its partner Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), announced the commencement of electricity deliveries to Southern California Edison (SCE) from their 128 MW ac BigBeau solar-plus-storage projects in Kern County. The 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between the co-owners and SCE covers the procurement of both electricity generation and storage services.
The hybrid plant was designed as a 128 MW ac solar farm which is directly connected to a 40 MW/160 MWh lithium-ion battery. The hybrid plant was designed such that it would overcome the intermittency problem associated with solar plants by enabling the four-hour battery to absorb excess energy from the solar farm during the day for use at other times.
Electricity generated at the facility is transferred to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) grid via the local transmission system operated by SCE. The plant meets the stringent standards of Resource Adequacy put in place by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). With the commercial model, the utility firm has an effective way to avoid electricity shortages in periods of net peak, especially in the evenings when there is a surge in customer demand.
By levelling the generation profile throughout the day, the plant offers crucial ancillary services that enhance grid stability. The project utilizes solar energy stored in low-cost storage systems in high daylight conditions to produce energy whenever needed.
Dustin Priemer, Director of Asset Management for Masdar Americas, stated that the deal helped expand their United States-based portfolio of assets and is consistent with the company’s strategy of providing dependable and utility-scale renewable energy solutions. Additionally, Dustin highlighted the importance of their partnership with Southern California Edison and how they both share a common vision in terms of increasing power generation in order to meet California’s growing energy needs.
Furthermore, the long-term PPA protects SCE against wholesale market price volatility while ensuring predictable revenue for EDF and Masdar. The money to build the plant was raised privately, making up one of the pieces of Masdar’s billion-dollar investment in clean energy in America.
Jacqueline de Fresart, the associate director of origination and power marketing at EDF power solutions North America, stated her satisfaction with the company’s role in helping Southern California Edison to achieve its goals for green energy and providing reliable and effective electricity to its customers. Moreover, she mentioned that the company was excited about working together with the utility in the future.
Though the BigBeau asset initially reached commercial operation in December 2022, it underwent a restructuring of its prior terms before officially launching energy deliveries under these newly finalized SCE agreements on February 1, 2026.
The project is part of seven-project joint venture between Masdar and EDF power solutions with a target capacity of 1.1 GW. This project underscores the major market intentions of the two developers; EDF Renewables operates a portfolio of 26 GW developed in 35 years in North America and Masdar is targeting to develop its portfolio up to 25 GW within the next decade.