AES has officially finished construction on Bellefield 1, the first 1,000 MW stage of its Bellefield solar-plus-storage project in Kern County, California. This initial phase includes 500 MW of solar generation paired with 500 MW of four-hour battery storage and operates under a 15-year power purchase agreement with Amazon. With this milestone reached, AES demonstrates its ability to rapidly deploy large-scale renewable assets, underscoring its growing role in powering data centers and supporting the clean energy transition.
Next Phase Aims to Make History in 2026
AES is already moving forward with the second phase, Bellefield 2, which will mirror the first with an additional 500 MW solar and 500 MW storage. Timed for completion in 2026, Bellefield 2 will bring the total capacity to a monumental 2 GW, positioning Bellefield as the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the U.S. Once fully operational, the site will generate enough clean electricity for approximately 467,000 homes, while displacing over 1 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually, an environmental boost equivalent to removing around 240,000 gasoline cars from roads. This scale highlights AES’s leadership in delivering impactful and sustainable energy infrastructure.
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Jobs, Innovation, and Robotic Efficiency
Beyond its scale, the Bellefield project has already bolstered local employment, creating more than 700 union construction jobs during Phase 1, and is expected to generate about 1,000 during the second phase. Additionally, AES integrated its proprietary Maximo AI-powered robotic assistant to enhance the installation of solar modules. This innovation has improved on-site safety, speed, and precision, demonstrating how robotic technology can streamline massive renewable deployments. CEO Andrés Gluski emphasized that such tools are critical to maintaining AES’s reputation for completing projects “on time and on budget”.
Strengthened Ties with Hyperscalers and Clean Energy Clients
Located in a clean energy hotspot, Bellefield firmly aligns with AES’s broader strategy of partnering with global hyperscale data center brands. Boasting over 10 GW of clean energy contracts, including deals with Amazon and Meta, AES continues to solidify its position as a key renewable provider. As Phase 1 begins revenue recognition in the second half of 2025 and Phase 2 wraps in 2026, Bellefield exemplifies how integrated solar-plus-storage projects can meet the demands of energy-hungry industries, while advancing decarbonization and enhancing grid resilience.
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The Bellefield 1 California Project Overview
Project Name: Bellefield Solar-Plus-Storage Project
Location: Kern County, California, USA
Developer: AES Corporation
Total Planned Capacity: 2 GW (1 GW solar + 1 GW storage across two phases)
Phase 1 (Bellefield 1):
Capacity: 500 MW solar + 500 MW storage (4-hour duration)
Status: Completed (2025)
Offtake Agreement: 15-year PPA with Amazon
Jobs Created: 700+ union construction jobs
Phase 2 (Bellefield 2):
Capacity: 500 MW solar + 500 MW storage
Completion Target: 2026
Expected Jobs: 1,000 at construction peak
Technology & Tools:
AI-powered robotic assistant “Maximo” used for module assembly
Environmental Impact:
Power for 467,000 homes (once both phases are online)
Over 1 million metric tonnes of CO₂ avoided annually
Key Customers: Amazon (Bellefield), Meta (separate 650 MW PPA with AES for other sites)
Significance: Poised to be the largest solar-plus-storage facility in the U.S. when fully operational
