June 23, 2026
Salt Lake City energy developer rPlus energies has announced the start of commercial operations for the Green River Energy Center in central Utah’s Emery County.
The 400 MW project is the largest solar and storage facility in the country PacificCorps service area in six states, and comes complete with a 1.6 GWh battery project. The project highlights the Beehive State’s growing role in the American solar landscape, following the introduction of the Operation Gigawatt initiative by Governor Spencer Cox in 2024.
“Operation Gigawatt is about ensuring Utah has the reliable, homegrown energy it needs to provide opportunity for generations,” Cox said. “Green River Energy Center represents the kind of large-scale energy investments we need to deliver reliable energy, support rural Utah and help fuel the next generation of prosperity in our state.”
The new energy center will generate more than $55 million in property taxes for local schools and public service organizations, rPlus officials say. The project also employed hundreds of workers at the height of construction, including a number of local contractors.
Growing Utah’s energy landscape
With nearly 1 million solar panels and 484 battery units, the energy center’s commissioning included a ribbon cutting and on-site ceremony on June 22. Project partners, community members and Cox himself attended the ceremony, where partners announced a $45,000 donation to the nearby community. Ferron Fire Department.
“This project represents years of collaboration and dedication from all project partners,” said Luigi Resta, president and CEO of rPlus Energies. “Together we believed in the vision, and today Green River Energy Center delivers reliable power and real value to families across the American West.”
The project will fuel Utah’s energy future overall, says Senator John Curtis. As energy needs continue to rise across the country, Utah and the U.S. West Coast will play a key role in new capacity in the future.
“Meeting America’s growing energy needs will require a comprehensive approach, and the Green River Energy Center is an important example of that effort in action,” said Curtis. “This investment strengthens our energy infrastructure, supports Utah workers and communities, and provides reliable, affordable power to families and businesses across the West.”
The Green River Energy Center has already received both national and local recognition Project Finance International ‘Renewables Deal of the Year’ award for America. The project also won the award Emery County Business Chambers Award ‘Energy Company of the Year’ in 2024.
Keywords: project, rPlus Energies, Utah
