Open House for Planned Solar Farm in Benton County

On February 23, 2024, Wallula Gap Solar, LLC applied to EFSEC to construct and operate a 60-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project with an optional battery energy storage system (BESS) in Benton County, Washington. The proposed facility would be located approximately 4 miles northwest of Plymouth, spanning across about 437 acres of three parcels owned by Farmland Reserve, Inc.

The facility would consist of PV modules mounted on single-axis trackers, which would tilt from east to west throughout the day to maximize energy output. The optional BESS, designed to store power generated by the facility and dispatch it to the electrical grid at a later time, would not exceed the facility’s 60-MW capacity. Currently, the facility plans to use lithium-ion battery energy technology, but other technologies could be considered based on commercial interest.

The facility would interconnect to Benton Public Utility District’s 115-kV line near the Prior #2 substation and then connect to the Bonneville Power Administration’s facilities at the Plymouth tap, where Benton PUD and BPA facilities connect at BPA’s McNary substation.

The EFSEC has scheduled an Open House,  Public Information Hearing and Land Use Consistency Hearing for April 23rd. The hearing will include a virtual and in-person components.

The may attend the meeting in person at:
Kennewick Valley Grange #731
2611 S Washington St
Kennewick, WA 99337

Virtual attendance is available via Microsoft Teams or via phone at:

• https://bit.ly/WallulaGap_InfoMtg_LUH
• Phone number +1 564-999-2000 Conference ID: 958652323#

The Open House begins at 5:30 pm, the Informational Public Hearing at 5:30 pm and the Land Use Consistency Hearing at approximately 8:00 pm.
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Additional information about the venue such as maps and directions can be found on our website: https://www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-facilities/wallula-ga

Author

Matt Murphy, TCRCC Government & Regional Affairs Director, [email protected]