The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the 600-MW Jove Solar Project in La Paz County, Arizona. Once operational, the 600-megawatt solar farm is projected to generate enough renewable energy to power around 180,000 homes annually.
Solar Project Expected to Begin Operations by 2027
The installation may also feature a battery energy storage system. It will connect to the 500-kV Cielo Azul switching station and the Ten West Link transmission line, which extends from southern California to central Arizona. The agency anticipates the solar project will be operational by 2027.
The construction plan will prevent any development in a desert wash that runs through the project area. This approach will protect the channel floodplain, preserve wildlife habitat connectivity and avoid environmentally sensitive areas. With the BLM's approval, Jove Solar Project has been granted a 30-year right-of-way for the facility.
Ray Castro, BLM Yuma Field Manager, said: “BLM supports efficient development of clean energy on our nation’s public lands to move toward a carbon pollution-free power sector. We will continue to engage with Tribal, federal, state and local governments, local communities, stakeholder groups and industry as this project moves toward construction,”
Solar Project Features 1.2 Million Photovoltaic Modules
The solar facility is set to feature 1.2 million photovoltaic modules and will be connected to the Ten West Link transmission line, which spans from southern California to central Arizona. The solar project is designed to generate enough power to supply 180,000 homes each year.
According to the BLM, the development supports federal policies and incentives promoting renewable energy while meeting the increasing demand for low-carbon electricity. Environmental impact mitigation measures have been included to ensure sustainable energy production.
BLM Exceeds Renewable Energy Permitting Goal
Since January 2021, the BLM has approved 46 renewable energy projects on public lands; these include 12 solar, 14 geothermal, two wind, and 18 generation tie-ins (gen-ties). Gen-ties are transmission lines that connect renewable energy projects on private lands to the grid. The agency has already permitted a total of 34 GW of clean energy projects on public lands, exceeding its 2025 goal of 25 GW. As of November 2024, the BLM has authorized 70 geothermal, 63 solar, 41 wind and 42 renewable energy gen-tie projects.