County approves sister solar projects
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved several resolutions and zone changes for the Seville 4 and Seville 5 Solar and Battery Storage Projects on Tuesday, Jan. 27, allowing the projects to move forward. The Board also approved the public service agreement with Apex Energy Solutions for the two projects.
Seville 4 is located approximately 7 miles east of the unincorporated community of Ocotillo Wells and 14 miles west of the Salton Sea. It’s nearly 325 acres and consists of 8 parcels, adjacent to several other solar energy projects, according to Imperial County Planning Director Jim Minnick. The project is expected to include a 90-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar generation facility and up to 180 MW of battery storage.
A zone change request was included in the approval of this project, rezoning the land for agricultural designation. The landowner previously requested and received a zone change to use the land for a cannabis operation.
The environmental study found significant but mitigatable impacts to biology, cultural resources, geology, and soils. After discussions with local agencies that sent comment letters, including CalTrans, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Imperial County Air Pollution District, and Defenders of Wildlife, it was determined that the proposed mitigation measures would bring levels down to “less than significant.”
Seville 4’s sister project, Seville 5, was also approved by the board. The project site is located in an unincorporated area 20 miles west of Westmorland. This project is expected to yield 65 MW of solar photovoltaic energy with an integrated battery storage system of up to 130 MW.
Both projects will be connected to the existing Imperial Irrigation District “R” line.
Under the terms of the public service agreement (PSA), Seville 4 will provide an annual payment of almost $200,000 with a 2.5% increase annually, in addition to $375,000 in sales tax revenue for the construction of the project. Seville 5 will provide an almost $135,000 annual payment with a 2.5% annual increase as well, in addition to $225,000 in sales tax revenue for the construction of the project.