Closure of Ivanpah Solar Power Plant Following Bird Deaths and Inefficiency
The Ivanpah Solar Power facility, once hailed as the largest solar plant globally, is set to shut down after only operating for about a third of its projected lifespan. It has reportedly resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of birds during its operation.
Located in San Bernardino County, California, the Ivanpah plant occupies roughly 3,471 acres and features three towering 459-foot power towers along with 173,500 heliostat mirrors. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, this facility may not have fulfilled its renewable energy promises.
The New York Post reported that the plant is on track to cease operations in 2026 due to its inefficiencies in generating solar power. NRG Energy, the Texas-based partner and primary investor in Ivanpah, stated that the plant had become “overgraduated by solar power” because of significantly reduced capital and operational costs in clean energy production.
NRG anticipates beginning the closure process in early 2026, pending approval from the California Public Utilities Commission. Once closed, NRG mentioned that the site might be repurposed for renewable photovoltaic energy production.
In 2025, PG&E decided to terminate its power purchase agreement with Ivanpah, claiming that ending the contract would save customers money compared to maintaining it until 2039. Originally opened in 2014 with a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee from the Obama administration, Ivanpah was expected to have a lifespan of 30 years.
However, Jenny Chase, a solar analyst from BloombergNEF, revealed that Ivanpah never achieved more than 75% of its anticipated annual electricity generation. Despite the initial optimism for solar thermal technology supported by federal funding, Ivanpah consistently depended on natural gas, failing to exceed its production goals.
Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, referred to Ivanpah as another “failed green energy boondoggle,” similar to Solyndra, emphasizing that it had not lived up to its expectations despite substantial investment. Similarly, Steven Milloy, a former member of the Trump EPA transition team, warned that green projects relying on taxpayer funds rarely yield meaningful economic or environmental benefits.
As concerns about wildlife emerged, it’s noted that Ivanpah’s concentrated sunlight technology led to numerous bird fatalities, with estimates suggesting at least 6,000 birds per year. The U.S. Department of the Interior indicated that they are actively collaborating with relevant agencies to address the environmental impacts of the project, although they did not provide accurate death toll figures.
