California regulators voted to keep the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System online, despite inefficiencies and reliance on natural gas. The California Public Utilities Commission rejected a proposal to terminate power purchase agreements and shutter the $2.2 billion solar-thermal facility, citing risks to grid reliability and the state’s long-term clean energy goals.
Ivanpah, located in the Mojave Desert, uses massive mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto towers that generate electricity. Though initially promoted as a landmark clean-energy project backed by federal support, the facility has consistently underperformed. It produces less energy than projected and frequently uses natural gas to ignite its system before sunrise, raising questions about its classification as a renewable power source.
In early 2025, Ivanpah’s co-owners offered to end contracts with Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison by 2026, citing outdated technology and weaker output compared to modern solar-plus-battery installations. Regulators overrode the plan, arguing that closing the plant could strain California’s renewable energy supply. The state remains committed to reaching 100 percent clean energy by 2045, and the commission said uncertainty in ongoing project development justified extending Ivanpah’s operation into future years.
Critics argue the decision exposes contradictions in California’s energy strategy. The plant’s environmental record includes wildlife deaths caused by high-temperature solar towers, while its limited efficiency leaves taxpayers and ratepayers supporting an aging facility. The choice to keep Ivanpah running highlights the political pressure driving California’s energy agenda, especially as leaders defend renewable programs that struggle to meet basic reliability standards and consistent performance expectations.
