416 1/2 W Donlon St - 6 acres SCE Blythe (City) Substation adjacent Lot • Terrain industriel • 6,05 Acres • 1 062 075 $ CAD • Blythe, CA 92225

For sale, lease, or joint venture: 6.05-acre utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) development site directly adjacent to Southern California Edison’s Blythe (City) Substation in Blythe. Substation adjacency minimizes gen-tie distance. Prior analysis indicates constrained daytime charging with stronger off-peak availability; supporting a merchant storage strategy focused on energy arbitrage and solar oversupply capture, with potential for longer-duration (4–8 hour) configurations. Increasing local demand basis for an additional 33-kV feeder from Blythe (WALC) Substation could further improve charging capacity and project economics over time. Industrial zoning, previously disturbed conditions, and clean environmental profile support a streamlined entitlement pathway. Additional interconnection and environmental information available upon request.
Properties highly suitable for battery energy storage system (BESS) development are relatively scarce and currently in demand by experienced energy storage developers. Pricing is based on the strategic infrastructure value of the site for utility-scale BESS development rather than conventional vacant land comparables. Key valuation factors include grid position, utility adjacency, permitting feasibility, and the absence of major environmental constraints.
Utility-scale BESS land economics differ materially from conventional vacant land valuation metrics. Depending on project size, qualified California BESS sites may support long-term lease structures with multi-million-dollar aggregate values over the operating life of the project. As a result, strategic grid-adjacent properties are often valued based on infrastructure development potential rather than traditional land comparables.
Please Note: I’m only engaging with parties evaluating this site at a transaction level (pricing, structure, or due diligence), not general inquiries.
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Why This Site Matters
True substation-adjacent site
The parcel sits directly adjacent to the Blythe (City) Substation—no meaningful gen-tie distance, minimizing interconnection complexity relative to off-site parcels.
Constrained node = immediate merchant opportunity
Interconnection analysis indicates limited charging availability during peak summer daytime periods. This creates a classic merchant storage profile:
• off-peak / overnight charging
• solar-assisted charging strategies
• time-shifting into high-value peak periods
Supports long-duration storage strategies
The constrained, solar-heavy grid profile may favor longer-duration storage (4–8 hours), allowing operators to capture extended price spreads and provide additional grid services.
Solar-heavy regional grid
The Blythe / Colorado River corridor is heavily penetrated with utility-scale solar, reinforcing long-term demand for storage to manage midday oversupply.
Barrier to entry for others
Grid constraints and infrastructure limitations may discourage less experienced developers, creating opportunity for merchant-focused operators.
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Interconnection / Merchant + Upgrade Strategy
33-kV interconnection pathway
The substation includes 33-kV infrastructure currently serving local generation.
Charging constraints define near-term strategy
Prior analysis indicates:
• minimal daytime charging capacity in summer months
• improved charging availability during off-peak / nighttime periods
This profile supports merchant BESS strategies focused on arbitrage and solar oversupply capture.
Potential 33-kV feeder expansion
There is increasing basis for Southern California Edison to add an additional 33-kV feeder from the Blythe (WALC) Substation to support system needs.
If implemented, this could:
• increase charging capacity at Blythe (City)
• improve project economics
• enable larger or more flexible storage configurations
Two-phase development opportunity
This creates a potential strategy:
• Phase 1: merchant BESS under current constraints
• Phase 2: expanded operation as grid upgrades are implemented
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Existing Development Context
The Blythe region is one of California’s most active solar development corridors, with:
• multiple utility-scale solar projects
• ongoing interconnection activity
• increasing need for storage to balance generation
This supports long-term storage deployment despite near-term constraints.
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Permitting / Due Diligence Advantages
BESS allowed use
Battery storage is a by-right allowed use under the City of Blythe industrial zoning framework.
Substation adjacency simplifies permitting
Location adjacent to existing utility infrastructure reduces land-use conflicts.
Previously disturbed site
The parcel is cleared and graded with no biological or cultural resources present.
Clean environmental profile
Phase I and II environmental reports conclude no hazardous materials.
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Site Advantages
Zero-distance substation adjacency
No long gen-tie required.
Industrial zoning
Supports utility-scale energy development.
Two street frontages
Flexible access for construction, operation, and fire protection.
Flat, buildable parcel
Efficient site layout for BESS deployment.
Strategic energy corridor location
Located within a high-activity solar and transmission region.
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Example Development Potential
Example configurations subject to interconnection and permitting review:
Example Configuration Storage Capacity
10 MW / 40 MWh Targeted merchant storage
20 MW / 80 MWh Mid-scale arbitrage storage
30 MW / 120 MWh Utility-scale storage (4-hour)
30 MW / 240 MWh Long-duration storage (8-hour)
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Offering
6.05-acre substation-adjacent merchant BESS development site offered for sale, lease, or joint venture.
Developers experienced in merchant storage, long-duration storage, or staged development strategies are encouraged to inquire.
Additional information available upon request, including interconnection-related analysis and environmental documentation.
Other substation-adjacent California energy development sites available.