Project Overview

The Green River Energy Center is a 400 MW solar photovoltaic farm combined with a 400 MW / 1,600 MWh battery energy storage system. It is located in Emery County, eastern Utah. Developed by rPlus Energies of Salt Lake City, the project commenced commercial operations in June 2026. It makes it one of the largest solar-plus-storage facilities to reach operation in the United States and the largest such project in Utah's history.

The project installs 993,492 solar PV modules supplied by EliTe Solar, mounted on Nextracker single-axis solar trackers. These trackers are installed across 133,672 piles and track the sun's trajectory to maximise daily energy yield. The 508-mile combined cable network connects the arrays, battery systems, and the grid interconnection substation. 

The EPC contractor, Sundt Construction, completed the project using 849,268 construction labour hours since its groundbreaking ceremony held in September 2024. Peak construction employment reached 500 workers. 

rPlus Energies is committed to hiring local Emery County residents for road construction, battery installation, substation development, and other construction tasks. Permanent operations employment is approximately 15–20 full-time employees per year over the 40-year operating life. 

Financing was structured in two tranches: USD 1.1 billion in construction debt, followed by more than USD 500 million in tax equity from RBC Community Investments and co-investors (committed June 2025). The project expects to generate more than USD 55 million in property tax revenue over its lifetime, providing a substantial long-term fiscal benefit to Emery County and its schools. 

Green River Energy Center Location

Green River Energy Center is located in Emery County, Utah, near Ferron in the central part of the state. The location makes the project important for Utah’s clean energy development, as it adds utility-scale renewable capacity in a region that has become a key hub for such investments.

Its placement near Ferron supports regional economic activity while helping deliver power to a broader market across the state.

Technical Specifications

Project Background

rPlus Energies began developing the Green River Energy Center project approximately eight years before its 2026 commercial operations date, meaning development commenced around 2016–2017.

The original PPA between rPlus Energies and PacifiCorp specified the project with 400 MW of solar and 400 MWh of battery storage. In March 2024, the two parties amended the agreement to quadruple the BESS capacity to 1,600 MWh.

With a 4-hour storage duration at 400 MW capacity, the system can absorb solar generation during the middle of the day and release it during the evening peak hours when wholesale electricity prices are highest and grid reliability is most stressed. 

rPlus secured debt financing of USD 1.1 billion from five banks in July 2024, enabling the September 2024 groundbreaking to proceed. Tax equity financing of more than USD 500 million from RBC Community Investments and co-investors was secured in June 2025. Construction proceeded through 2025 with 849,268 labour hours accumulated across the site, and commercial operations began in June 2026.

Green River Energy Center Status

Green River Energy Center is now operational and has started commercial operations in Emery County, Utah. The project’s commissioning was announced in late June 2026, with on-site celebrations held on June 22, 2026.

Stakeholders Details

Green River Energy Center Project Cost

Project Scope

The following is the project scope of the Green River Energy Center:

• Grid Integration: The project comprises the required infrastructure to connect the plant to the transmission network. This ensures the solar and storage system can operate as a reliable power source.
  

• Power reliability and flexibility: The combined solar-plus-storage setup helps smooth out the variable nature of solar generation. It improves grid stability and makes renewable power more usable for utilities. 
  

• Energy shifting capability: The battery component enables the project to store power during periods of strong solar output. That stored energy can then be released later, helping match generation with demand. 
  

• Peak demand support: By dispatching stored electricity during evening or high-demand periods, the project can help reduce pressure on the grid. This makes the facility more valuable than solar-only generation. 
  

• Construction and engineering scope: The project scope includes civil works, mounting systems, electrical equipment, storage integration, and interconnection works. These elements are necessary to convert the site into a fully functioning energy facility.

Project Timeline

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the project:

• Reduces Fossil Fuel Dependence: The project reduces the dependence on fossil-fuel generation by producing enough solar power.
  

• Aligns With Decarbonization Goals: The solar project lowers carbon emissions, aligning with broader clean energy and decarbonization goals.
  

• Peak demand support: Stored energy can be released during evening or high-demand periods when electricity is most needed. This helps reduce strain on the grid and improves power availability. 
  

• Energy flexibility: The combined solar-plus-storage design gives utilities more control over when electricity is delivered. This makes the facility more useful for balancing supply and demand. 
  

• Economic Boost: The project creates multiple ongoing construction & operation jobs. It generates tax revenue & attracts investments, overall, boosting the economy in the region. 

Conclusion

The Green River Energy Center is marked as a transformative project for Utah. As it achieved its commercial operation in June 2026, it achieved a major milestone as the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the United States and the largest such project in Utah's history.

It creates approximately 500 construction jobs during its development phase, with 15-20 permanent jobs during the facility's 40-year operational lifespan. The battery storage system enables GREC to function as a renewable "peaker plant," providing dispatchable power to meet peak demand while maintaining zero carbon emissions.

Ultimately, the Green River Energy Center stands as a model for future renewable energy projects, combining technological innovation, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

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