250-ton transformer bound for mega-solar project rolls out of Buckeye

A half-million-pound transformer began its journey west today, departing from Buckeye on its way to the Atlas Solar project in La Paz County — a sprawling renewable energy development that could one day help power homes and businesses across Buckeye and the West Valley.

The transformer, one of several oversized shipments required for the project, is headed to a site about 45 miles east of Blythe, Calif., near the community of Salome. Once installed, it will help move electricity generated by the Atlas Solar complex, which is planned to reach 2,250 megawatts of capacity, making it the largest solar project in the world.

Developed by 174 Power Global, a subsidiary of Hanwha Energy, Atlas Solar will pair massive solar fields with 1,050 megawatts of battery storage. Power generated in Arizona will be delivered through the new Atlas Solar Tie Line, a 500-kilovolt transmission line that connects to the Cielo Azul Switchyard. From there, much of that energy is expected to supply California’s grid, though Arizona communities like Buckeye stand to benefit from the region’s growing role in clean energy production.

The project sits on a mix of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and state trust land overseen by the Arizona State Land Department. In recent years, the BLM conveyed a significant portion of land to La Paz County specifically for large-scale solar development.

Construction of Atlas Solar is still in its early stages, but the first connected phase is slated to go online in January. Local officials say the project represents not just a leap forward for renewable energy but also an economic boost for western Arizona.

For Buckeye, projects like Atlas highlight how the West Valley is tied into regional infrastructure and energy planning. As population growth drives up electricity demand, massive solar developments in neighboring counties will play a role in stabilizing supply and diversifying the grid.