California Department of Water Resources Initiates Major Solar Project to Power Water Plant
The California Department of Water Resources has launched the Pastoria Solar Project, a significant renewable energy initiative aimed at powering the Edmonston Pumping Plant, one of the most powerful water lifting systems in the world. Located in the San Joaquin Valley, the project involves a 105-megawatt solar plant developed by Calpine, part of Constellation Energy Corp. This solar plant is part of California's broader strategy to decarbonize its operations by 2035, in line with state law. The solar facility, which includes 226,000 panels, is situated near the pumping plant and is complemented by an 80-megawatt battery storage system and a natural gas-fired plant. The initiative is expected to help meet the energy needs of the State Water Project, which supplies water to millions of Californians. 
