Desert Southwest is in a renewable energy gold rush

They’ve become an all to familiar sight in the Desert Southwest. Across the region renewable energy facilities are either being built or are in operation.

Desert Southwest is in a renewable energy gold rush

By Joe Teposte

They’ve become an all to familiar sight in the Desert Southwest. Across the region renewable energy facilities are either being built or are in operation.

Whether it’s wind, thermal or solar, the Desert Southwest is in a virtual gold rush with energy companies looking to lay claim to a piece of the nugget.

The latest is RAI Energy International who has wind and solar farms all over the world. They have just obtained agreements with Imperial County, the Imperial Irrigation District, and San Diego Community Power.

The new facility will be called the Viking Energy Farm which pays homage to Holtville High School’s mascot. The 100-megawatt plant and energy storage facility will secure power for neighboring San Deigo County.

RAI Energey International plans on breaking ground in the fall of 2022 and hopes to complete the project by the summer of 2023.

According to CEO Mohammed Alrai, the company will be looking to hire approximately 250-union workers during construction. Plans are also in effect to partner with the City of Holtville to create a scholarship program for local students.

Originally published at Kyma