Construction has officially begun on BayWa r.e.’s long-planned Jacumba Valley Ranch (JVR) Energy Park, a major solar-plus-storage installation set to bring new renewable capacity and economic investment to San Diego County.
BayWa r.e. announced that it has closed financing and moved into the construction phase for the project, which has been in development since 2021. The JVR Energy Park will deploy 127 MWDC of solar power paired with 280 MWh of battery energy storage, with commercial operation expected next year.
Company leaders emphasized that the groundbreaking represents the culmination of years of coordination with local agencies, labor partners, and community stakeholders.
“Today, BayWa r.e. Americas celebrates the result of years of collaboration with our partners and stakeholders. Our team, local officials, permitting and financing partners, and our EPC and construction teams shared a clear goal: deliver a reliable, cost-efficient energy project that adds new capacity to the grid and creates lasting value for San Diego County,” said Geoff Fallon, Interim CEO and COO of BayWa r.e. Americas. “Breaking ground on JVR Energy Park reflects that shared effort, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”
Construction of the JVR Energy Park will require more than 350 union construction workers, secured through project labor agreements that ensure prevailing wages and skilled labor standards. Long-term operational positions will follow once the system is online.
BayWa r.e. officials say the project will also stimulate the regional economy through increased demand for lodging, fuel, equipment, transportation, and dining services. Over its multi-decade lifespan, the facility is expected to generate substantial property tax revenue to support county schools, roads, and essential services.
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As part of its development commitments, BayWa r.e. has pledged $4 million in direct community investment for Jacumba Valley. That funding is being shaped by input from the Jacumba Community Sponsorship Group, the County of San Diego, and responses from local residents.
A key partnership includes a fire protection agreement with the San Diego County Fire Authority. Through this agreement, the developer is dedicating five acres of project land for a new Jacumba fire station, improving emergency service capacity in the remote eastern part of the county.
Beyond its clean-energy output, the JVR Energy Park incorporates extensive environmental protections. The development plan includes a 435-acre biological open space easement, preserving habitat and natural resources adjacent to the site. Project designs were also engineered to avoid sensitive habitats, wetlands, and jurisdictional waters, reinforcing BayWa r.e.’s compliance with state and federal environmental guidelines.
The JVR Energy Park is positioned to serve as one of the region’s largest integrated solar and storage installations, delivering grid support and improved reliability during peak demand periods. The combination of workforce investment, environmental conservation, and direct community support underscores how large-scale renewable projects are increasingly expected to deliver broad, multi-dimensional benefits.
Originally reported by Energy Jobline.
