Yakima County solar project construction to begin soon

Construction is set to commence on an 80-megawatt solar energy project in northeast Yakima County, while another recently completed project may soon see an upgrade.

At the state energy facility site evaluation council's monthly meeting, Sara Randolph, a site specialist for Ostrea, announced that construction would begin shortly.

"EFSEC staff approved preconstruction plans on February 10, with a kickoff meeting today and construction beginning on February 24," said Randolph.

Ostrea's plans include the installation of 190,733 solar photovoltaic panels across 811 acres along State Route 24, which will provide power to approximately 30,000 homes.

Meanwhile, the Goose Prairie solar project, located just east of Moxee, became operational last December. The project is generating enough energy that the development team is considering an additional feature.

"Our development team is in the feasibility stage of potentially exploring the opportunity to install a battery energy storage system at the site as well to complement the solar," said Nelson Jia, asset manager for developer Brookfield Renewable.

There is currently no timetable for when this new feature might be added. In light of Ostrea's impending construction, inquiries have been made to the Yakima County commissioners regarding how these projects are proceeding despite the county's solar moratorium. A response is still awaited.