Renewable energy project developer and owner DESRI has broken ground on its latest solar farm and storage energy facility in Buckeye, taking advantage of the city’s sprawling, undeveloped land to provide a new source of local clean energy for Arizonans. 

The Catclaw Power and Storage Project, officially under construction after a groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, is a 250-megawatt (MWac) photovoltaic solar facility and 250-MWac battery storage energy system. The project is approximately 1,618 acres large, with a local substation connecting it to the regional electrical grid through the Arizona Public Service (APS) Sun Valley Substation. DESRI acquired the project in 2024, and completion is expected at the end of the second quarter 2026. The project will serve APS customers throughout the state.

“As we break ground on this project, it represents not only innovation and clean energy, but collaboration, perseverance and progress,” said Derek Seaman, APS director of resource acquisition. “At APS, we are planning for fast paced growth…As we fast-forward to next year and our hot summer temperatures, we look forward to having the Catclaw project online, keeping our lights running, our air conditionings running and keeping our customers cool.”

The Catclaw Power and Storage Project is along the Sun Valley Parkway, north of the Tartesso community. It will be one of approximately 70 solar and wind projects DESRI owns and operates in the Unites States, with construction underway in 15 states for future sustainable energy facilities. DESRI also partnered with RES America Construction, EPC Services Company and Tesla for the project.

“Catclaw is a testament to the innovation, sustainability and community engagement that’s required to build a really exciting, big project,” DESRI co-founder and CEO David Zwillinger said.

Solar energy and storage are particularly helpful during extreme temperatures, he said, and projects like Catclaw can accommodate the state’s growing population and industrialization, as well as its incoming data centers, the latter known for consuming a significant amount of energy. 

“We’re going to be here, build and operate for a long time, and we want to be a good steward,” Zwillinger said. “We’re providing a commodity, and that commodity is power. One of the keys is to build this cost effectively and add good infrastructure. We’re glad to be doing that.” 

He thanked the Buckeye City Council and community for its support of the project, as well as constructive criticism provided during meetings held in the months leading up to the groundbreaking. Mayor Eric Orsborn shared his excitement for the project, and how the electricity produced at the facility will support the city’s growing infrastructure and population.  

“This project will provide much-needed service for the region while integrating with the environment. This includes installing low-profile equipment that is not glare intensive and following our development standards for setbacks and landscaping along Sun Valley Parkway, keeping natural washes undisturbed,” Orsborn said. “With these appropriate measures in place, when this low-impact facility completes its fulfillment, the land will be quickly restored to conditions making it easy to develop, and in 40 or 50 years, this area will be thriving with activity.”