A $2.2 billion taxpayer-funded solar plant in California’s Mojave Desert is shutting down more than a decade early after failing to deliver on its promises of efficiency and affordability.
The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, featuring three massive 459-foot towers, will officially close in 2026, according to the New York Post.
The plant, which began operating in 2014 after being greenlit in 2010, was originally slated to run until 2039.
The decision follows years of speculation and came after Pacific Gas & Electric announced earlier this year it had reached an agreement with Ivanpah’s owners to terminate contracts.
“Ivanpah Solar was built when developers were investing in many different types of clean energy,” PG&E said in a January press release.
“But over time, solar photovoltaic technology raced ahead of its rival in affordability.”
The project was heavily promoted by the Obama administration, which in 2011 issued $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees under then–Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
At the plant’s opening, Moniz called Ivanpah “a shining example” of America’s leadership in solar energy, touting the project as proof of a clean energy economy that would create jobs and reduce emissions.
Instead, Ivanpah has become another cautionary tale about government-subsidized energy projects.
The plant struggled to compete with more affordable photovoltaic solar panels and has been plagued by inefficiency and high costs since its launch.
California’s broader green energy sector has also been faltering.
Last year, rooftop solar giant SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after collapsing under the weight of failed subsidy programs, soaring interest rates, and dwindling consumer demand.
Critics say the collapse of Ivanpah highlights the consequences of Democrats’ obsession with unreliable “green” projects.
Billions in taxpayer dollars have been poured into facilities that can’t keep up with market realities.
Meanwhile, California continues to suffer from blackouts, skyrocketing energy costs, and dependence on out-of-state power.
By contrast, President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to American energy independence.
The president has long been championing oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and clean coal.
Under Trump, the U.S. has expanded domestic energy production, driven down costs for consumers, and strengthened the nation’s ability to compete globally without relying on unstable foreign suppliers.
The president has also warned that Democrats’ climate agenda would leave the United States dependent on unreliable renewable projects like Ivanpah while driving up costs for working families.
Trump argues that windmills and solar panels aren’t going to keep the lights on in America.
Instead, Trump is calling for a balanced energy strategy that secures reliable baseload power.
Ivanpah’s failure serves as a stark reminder of the risks of central planning and politically motivated energy schemes.
Where the Obama administration promised a “shining example,” taxpayers are left with shuttered facilities, wasted billions, and a cautionary tale about what happens when ideology overrides practicality.
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