The Vidal Solar and Energy Project is a major renewable energy facility being developed in San Bernardino County, California. Spearheaded by Aypa Power (a Blackstone portfolio company) in collaboration with CDH Vidal LLC, this hybrid development secured US$535 million in construction financing in May 2025. It combines a 160 MW solar farm with a 160 MW/640 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), creating a total capacity of 320 MW. Situated on 1,220 acres, the project aims to bolster grid reliability and support California’s decarbonization goals by delivering clean electricity and resource adequacy to San Diego Community Power under a long-term agreement.

The successful capitalization of individual assets like Vidal underscores the broader financial momentum propelling the company’s growth—a trajectory now supercharged as Blackstone’s Aypa locks in a US$1.5 billion credit facility for US expansion. Lead managed by Nomura Securities International, this massive corporate facility will support Aypa’s 22 GW development pipeline across North America, providing the critical liquidity needed to post interconnection deposits and secure long-lead equipment for utility-scale storage and hybrid projects.

Published 13th May 2025: Aypa Power has secured US$535 million in construction financing for Vidal, a 320 MW solar and energy storage project in San Bernardino County, California. The project is expected to combine 160 MW of solar generation with a 160 MW/640 MWh battery energy storage system. Further, the hopes of the project are to enhance the grid’s reliability across the state’s while supporting California’s carbon-free electricity goals. Specifically, it will deliver electricity, renewable energy certificates and resource adequacy to San Diego Community Power through a long-term power purchase agreement. The initiative is projected to generate more than US$13.5m in local economic benefits. In addition, it will create up to 260 construction jobs in San Bernardino County.

Also Read Additional US$7 billion in funding sought for California High-speed Rail

CDH Vidal LLC proposed the project in October 2021. It was approved later in December 2024 after extensive assessments were done on the project. Vidal will sit on 1,220 acres of land. Additionally, it will be constructed alongside a 161-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. A new switchyard and associated interconnection facilities adjacent to the project will also need to be put up near the project and the existing HDR-BLY line. Furthermore, the project scope outlines the construction of access roads for construction and maintenance. 

Project Overview

Location: San Bernardino County, California

Developers: Aypa Power, CDH Vidal LLC

Total Capacity: 320 MW

Solar Generation: 160 MW

Project Scope: 1,220 acres of land

Details on the Aypa Power Vidal Project Financing

Santander Corporate & Investment Banking played a central role in the transaction, serving as the coordinating lead arranger and mandated lead arranger. Additionally, it served green loan coordinator, lender, and letter of credit (LC) issuer. US Bank National Association, through its US Bancorp Impact Finance subsidiary, and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. also participated as mandated lead arrangers and lenders. Additionally, Siemens Financial Services and Associated Bank, N.A. contributed as managing agents and lenders. In January, Aypa Power obtained $190 million in funding for its Bypass BESS project located in Fort Bend County, Texas. The 200MW/400MWh facility is intended to address the region’s energy storage requirements. The financing included a $68 million construction-to-term loan and a $91 million tax equity bridge loan, amounting to $159 million dedicated to the construction phase.

Also Read Balfour Beatty to Lead $60 Million Stormwater Capture Project at Bassett High School in California