Major Solar and Storage Development in Arizona Marks Enlight's U.S. Expansion
Israeli-based energy development firm Enlight has moved into early construction phases on many parts of its 5.2-GW multi-phase solar and battery storage CO Bar Complex projects in Arizona.
Civil engineering work has started at the CO Bar 1-2 phases, while construction is expected at the other three phases within the next year. Enlight plans to enter the projects into commercial operation by the second half of 2027 and early 2028.
“CO Bar represents a major step forward for Enlight’s U.S. platform,” Enlight CEO Adi Leviatan said in a statement. “Reaching full interconnection and completing the commercial framework for such a large-scale, integrated solar and storage complex demonstrates our ability to execute at scale, deepen partnerships with leading utilities, and deliver long-term value from high-quality renewable assets.
CO Bar, located in Coconino County, will include 1.2 GW of utility-scale solar capacity and 4 GWh of battery storage generation. Across the five stages, CO Bar 1 includes 258 MW of solar generation and 824 MWh of energy storage. CO Bar 2 and CO Bar 3 add 480 MW and 473 MW of solar generation, respectively, while CO Bar 4 and CO Bar 5 are storage-only projects providing 1,600 MWh and 1,576 MWh of energy storage, respectively.
Investment in completing the complex could total about $3 billion, and Enlight anticipates investment tax credits while also generating close to $270 million annually from electricity sales starting in the first year. Enlight is working through interconnection and long-term energy service agreements with Arizona public utility Salt River Project.
Enlight was founded more than 15 years ago in Israel and has developed renewable energy and hybrid clean energy projects there and abroad. It acquired U.S. solar and storage developer Clēnera earlier this decade, and the two companies created a joint venture developing renewable energy projects globally.
“We are excited to have reached these milestones on the CO Bar project,” Clēnera CEO Jared McKee said. “The CO Bar project is a special project and signifies Clēnera’s ability to build large utility scale solar facilities that not only generate and store reliable clean energy but support regenerative land management principles.”
In the U.S., Enlight has acquired or developed projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.
The federal Energy Information Administration anticipates that a majority of new U.S. utility-scale power generation will be solar, wind and batteries this year.