Plans are now underway for the construction of a massive solar energy and battery storage project that will go up on the west side of Albuquerque.
The project belongs to the New York-based company Desri and will comprise some 400 megawatts worth of solar panels along with another 400 megawatts of battery storage capacity.
A significant step forward was taken last week when members of the Bernalillo County Commission voted to approve some $1.2 billion in industrial revenue bonds for the project.
To go up on around 3,000 acres just to the north of Atrisco Vista Boulevard, what is being called Estrella will be built in two phases, with the first phase scheduled to see construction later this year.
Launched in 2010, Desri specializes in the development, ownership, and operation of what are described as “utility-scale renewable energy projects.” The company has undertaken projects in some 24 states, providing electric power to more than 2 million homes.
Last spring Desri announced that it was undertaking, with Tierra Adentro Growth Capital, a project seeing the creation of 270 megawatts of solar energy and 180 megawatts of battery energy storage in San Juan County.
The Estrella project in Albuquerque is expected to become operational in early 2028.
August 31, 2026
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of the Department of Energy
