Desert Quartzite Solar+Storage Project moves forward with investment from Power Sustainable and EDF Renewables

Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Inc. (PSEI) and EDF Renewables North America (EDF Renewables) have completed the phase 1 closing of a significant strategic investment, acquiring a 50-percent stake in the Desert Quartzite Solar+Storage Project. This investment was executed alongside Potentia Renewables Inc. (Potentia), PSEI’s integrated developer and operator. The final phase of this investment is slated for completion upon the project’s commercial operation.

Desert Quartzite, located in Riverside County, California, is currently under construction and is set to deliver 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power combined with a 150 MW/4-hour battery energy storage system (BESS). The project will supply electricity to Clean Power Alliance, a Community Choice Aggregator serving 35 communities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Construction is expected to finish by the end of the year, with EDF Renewables’ Asset Optimization team managing long-term operations and maintenance.

Pierre-Olivier Perras, Managing Partner at Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion into the California utility-scale market. “The swift and collaborative process was a testament to our mutual commitment to making this partnership a success,” Perras said. He praised EDF Renewables for their professionalism and expertise during the due diligence process.

This marks PSEI’s largest investment to date and follows their inaugural venture into the California utility-scale market last year. Hamed Baatout, Vice President Divestiture and Portfolio Strategy at EDF Renewables, welcomed the partnership. “It’s wonderful to work with a partner who shares the same vision as us: to decarbonize energy and promote sustainable practices,” Baatout noted.

Jeremy Jagt, President of Potentia Renewables, also highlighted the significance of the project. “This investment underscores our commitment to expanding clean energy infrastructure in North America and delivering sustainable and impactful energy solutions,” Jagt said. “Together, we are driving innovation that supports both environmental stewardship and the long-term energy needs of communities.”