Enlight Renewable, a global energy developer based in Israel has reached key development milestones at its CO Bar solar and battery storage complex in Arizona. The project is now transitioning into full-scale execution, marking Enlight’s largest project in the US yet. The CO Bar Complex has also secured a 1 GW AC Large Generator Interconnection Agreement, a critical transmission milestone enabling grid access. It has also signed two 20-year busbar Energy Service Agreements (ESAs) with utility, Salt River Project covering the storage components, thus locking in offtake arrangements for the full complex.

Scope and Structure of CO Bar Solar-Battery Storage Complex in Arizona

The CO Bar Complex is comprised of five integrated stages of solar generation and energy storage. It totals to approximately 1.211 GW of solar capacity and 4.0 GWh of energy storage, making it among the largest solar-plus-storage developments in the US.

The multi-stage renewable energy hub features:

• CO Bar 1: 258 MW of solar generation with 824 MWh of energy storage.
• CO Bar 2: 480 MW of solar generation.
• CO Bar 3: 473 MW of solar generation.
• CO Bar 4 and 5: Standalone energy storage stages with 1,600 MWh and 1,576 MWh respectively.

Investment and Economics

Enlight estimates the total investment for the CO Bar Complex at approximately between USD 2.86 to 3.01 billion, with net development costs of about USD 1.55 to 1.63 billion after tax incentives.

Additionally, based on power and storage revenues, the project is expected to generate about USD 264 to 278 million in its first full year of operation. This is while producing enough clean electricity to power more than 215,000 Arizona homes annually.

Development Progress and Timeline of CO Bar Solar-Battery Complex in Arizona

All five project stages were safe-harbored in 2025, ensuring eligibility for US renewable tax credits under the ‘safe harbor’ provisions. Construction on CO Bar 1 and CO Bar 2 is already underway with civil works mobilized. CO Bar 3 to 5 are also expected to be fully mobilized within the next 12 months. Initial commercial operations are also scheduled to roll out in phases from the second half of 2027 through the first half of 2028.

Corporate Outlook and Enlight’s US Growth

The CO Bar Complex represents an important project in Enlight’s growing US footprint. It comes on the heels of the Snowflake Project, another large solar-plus-storage asset with 600 MW of generation and 1,900 MWh of storage that reached financial close recently. Collectively, these renewable projects also contribute to a maturing portfolio of approximately 6,500 Financial Megawatts (FMW) of late-stage development assets in the US.

Key Quotes

Adi Leviatan, CEO of Enlight, described the milestone as “a major step forward for Enlight’s U.S. platform”. Leviatan also noted that the project demonstrates their ability to execute at scale, deepen partnerships with leading utilities, and deliver long-term value from high-quality renewable assets.

Jared McKee, CEO of Clenera, also emphasized the project’s role in showcasing utility-scale solar and storage integration. McKee made it crystal of how the CO Bar Complex in Arizona also supports regenerative land management principles.

Project Factsheet for CO Bar Complex in Arizona

Developer and Owner: Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd.

Total Capacity: 1.211 GW solar generation plus 4.0 GWh energy storage.

Stages: CO Bar 1 to 5 across five development phases.

Interconnection: 1 GW AC Large Generator Interconnection Agreement has also been secured.

Offtake: Two 20-year busbar ESAs with Salt River Project for CO Bar 4 and 5.

Cost and Investment: Between USD 2.86 to 3.01 billion, gross. Between USD 1.55 to 1.63 billion, net.

Estimated First-Year Revenue: Between USD 264 to 278 million.

Homes Powered: More than 215,000 Arizona homes annually.

Development Status: CO Bar Complex in Arizona is safe-harbored. Construction is active at CO Bar 1 and 2, and is ramping up at CO Bar 3 through 5.

Expected COD Stages: H2 2027 through H1 2028.