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La Paz County approves conditional use permit for Atlas North solar project
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use permit for the Atlas North utility-scale solar project on roughly 7,590 acres in southeastern La Paz County after a public hearing and staff presentation; board and emergency-management questions focused on battery technology, fire response and proximity to I‑10.
La Paz County supervisors voted to approve a conditional use permit for the Atlas North solar photovoltaic project, a utility-scale development that will occupy land in southeastern La Paz County and connect to the recently completed Cielo Azul switchyard.
The vote came after a staff presentation, a project overview by the developer and a brief public-hearing period. The project as described to the board includes solar arrays on county, Arizona State Land Department and Bureau of Land Management parcels, a 500-kilovolt generation tie line of about 2–3 miles to the Cielo Azul switchyard, and battery energy storage systems. The county’s Planning and Zoning Commission previously recommended approval by unanimous vote.
Patrick Shim, development manager for Atlas North LLC, told the board the project would be sited on roughly 7,590 acres and include photovoltaic generation and battery storage. “We have not decided yet on the technology,” Shim said when asked about battery types, and he added the company would work with local fire and emergency personnel to adopt measures to reduce risks.
Community Development staff Tiffany Wyckoff told the board that required public notices were posted and that staff had not received written complaints during the notice period. During public comment, Greg Bachman, the county’s emergency manager, asked whether the battery systems would be the kinds of batteries that have generated news reports of fires; Shim replied the developer had not finalized a vendor and would coordinate with fire officials and the State Fire Marshal’s review process.
Supervisors also asked about the distance from Interstate 10 to the battery facilities; Shim said the preliminary design placed those facilities about one mile from the interstate, though he noted project design had not been finalized.
After closing the public hearing, the board moved to act on the permit. Supervisor Holly Erwin moved to approve the conditional use permit and Supervisor Plunkett seconded. The board approved the permit; there was no recorded roll-call breakdown in the public audio beyond voices saying “aye,” and the chair announced the motion carried.
The developer said it expects to begin construction as early as late 2025 or in 2026 and that several power purchase agreements and an interconnection agreement are in place. The project narrative presented to the board also said the Cielo Azul switchyard completed construction on Jan. 31, 2025, and that the tie line would cross a mix of county, state and federal lands.
The board’s approval clears a local land-use hurdle; the project will remain subject to state and federal permitting and to any interconnection, environmental and fire-safety reviews required by other agencies.
