MOSS LANDING, Calif. — A large fire erupted Thursday at the Moss Landing power plant in Monterey County, California, prompting evacuation orders for nearby areas, local officials and the energy company Vistra Corp. said.
The fire broke out at an energy storage facility on the site, according to Vistra, which operates the plant and has been converting other facilities in Texas and California from coal to solar power.
Eyewitness video showed flames and smoke billowing from the facility. Reuters verified the location by matching the power plant’s distinctive stacks and nearby buildings to satellite images.
Hundreds of residents were ordered to evacuate, and part of a nearby highway was closed, local media reported. Moss Landing houses one of the world’s largest battery storage plants, heightening concerns about potential risks to the surrounding area.
Authorities stated that an investigation into the fire’s cause would begin once the blaze was fully extinguished. The Moss Landing site is a key facility for renewable energy storage, making the incident a setback for Vistra and its sustainability initiatives.
The fire has drawn attention to the challenges of operating large-scale battery facilities, a critical component of California’s shift to renewable energy. No injuries were reported as of Thursday evening.
