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Riverstart 4 set to go online; commissioners approve press release and discuss battery storage and future projects
Summary
Renewables representative told commissioners Riverstart 4 will begin operations this Friday and requested approval to distribute a press release; commissioners approved the release and asked staff to adjust wording. He also updated the board on Riverstart 2, 3 and 5 and noted battery storage is an emerging topic.
Brad Dilger, EVP Renewables for Riverstart projects, briefed the Randolph County commissioners on the company’s solar portfolio and asked approval to distribute a press release marking Riverstart 4’s completion.
Dilger said Riverstart 3 was completed at the end of last year and road repairs finished during summer; Riverstart 4 is under construction and expected to reach operational status on Friday the 19th, bringing about 150 megawatts onto the local transmission grid. He said Riverstart 5’s start date was delayed until after next year’s harvest because of offtake-agreement timing, and that Riverstart 2 would return to activity in 2026 under the county's new solar-ordinance notice requirements.
"We will be working to issue the completion notice...probably the beginning of 2026," Dilger said of Riverstart 3 closing out. On Riverstart 4 he described ongoing reclamation and cleanup work that will continue for 3–4 months after commercial operation begins.
Dilger asked the commission for permission to send a press release announcing Riverstart 4’s milestone and distributed a draft. Commissioners reviewed suggested edits and moved to authorize distribution of the release to the county’s PR channel; the motion passed by voice vote. The chair said he would circulate his edited version of the draft for the other commissioners to review.
Dilger also said battery storage is increasingly discussed alongside solar development and that Riverstart is monitoring developments, and he offered to follow up with county staff on storage questions and any local regulatory implications.
Next steps: the county will finalize edits and publish the press release at the commissioners' direction; Riverstart will continue site work and provide completion notices as required under agreements.
