Oveja Ranch Solar Project

Overview 

To help maintain grid reliability and provide our community with carbon-free energy, we’re proposing to construct and operate a photovoltaic (PV) solar power and battery storage facility in southern Sacramento County that would provide 75 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy that aligns with our 2030 Zero Carbon Plan and enhances grid resiliency.  

The proposed project would support the growing demand for electricity from growth and development in southeastern Sacramento County and surrounding areas. 

It would also add to our diverse clean energy portfolio, improve local air quality and deliver a reliable, long-term supply of economically viable solar energy and battery storage that provides grid resiliency, while continuing existing agricultural activities.  

Project benefits include: 

• Construction expected to support 230 jobs and contribute $38 million to the Sacramento County local economy. 
• Once operational, Oveja Ranch is expected to contribute $3.8 million to the Sacramento County local economy and $11.7 million statewide each year. 
• Additional statewide benefits include 580 jobs and $123 million to the state economy during construction. 

Activities and location of work 

The proposed site would be developed on up to 400 acres of land in southeastern Sacramento County, south of the City of Rancho Cordova and north of Wilton. In addition to a PV solar power and battery storage facility, the project would include a generation substation and interconnection lines to our grid. At the end of the project’s life (anticipated to be 30-35 years), the site would be decommissioned. 

Timeline  

Construction would start as early as Q3 of 2026 and commercial operation is targeted for 2028.  

We’re committed to keeping the community informed about this project and will update this page with schedule information, construction impacts and progress updates.  

What are the environmental considerations?  

We’ve prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to satisfy the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code [PRC] Section 21000 et seq.) and serve as the lead agency for CEQA compliance. The EIR discloses environmental impacts, identifies mitigation measures for reducing or avoiding impacts and provides project alternatives which reduce or avoid environmental impacts.

Document availability: The EIR is available below or at smud.org/CEQA. 

Documents  

• Notice of Preparation
• Oveja Ranch Solar Project fact sheet
• Notice of Availability
• Draft Environmental Impact Report
• Final Environmental Impact Report
• Appendix Intro: Final NOP and Comment Letters 
• Appendix AQ: Detailed Calculation Inputs, Assumptions and Outputs 
• Appendix BR-1: Aquatic Resources Delineation Report 
• Appendix BR-2: Bio Survey Report
• Appendix BR-3: Burrowing Owl Habitat Assessment and Wintering Owl Surveys 
• Appendix CR-1: Cultural Report
• Appendix CR-2: Built Environment 
• Appendix HY-1: Water Supply Assessment 
• Appendix HY-2: Preliminary Drainage Report 

Questions? 

If you have questions please email OvejaRanchSolar@smud.org.