BREI
Butte Renewable Energy Inc.
The Project
Scalable renewable generation and microgrid infrastructure for Oroville's industrial growth.
Overview
BREI is developing solar, battery storage, and biomass energy opportunities in Oroville. The capacities below are planning estimates, subject to site availability, engineering, interconnection, financing, and applicable approvals.
PHASE 1 SOLAR PLAN
19.78 MWp DC
FULL SOLAR PLAN
39.8 MWp DC
SOLAR SITES
3 Locations
GRID EXPORT LIMIT
Under study
PRIMARY MARKET
Industrial Loads
STATUS
In Development
Phase 1 Solar Planning
The December 2025 Albion sizing table identifies 19.78 MWp DC / 15.84 MW AC for the combined S 7th Avenue sites. These planning figures do not represent secured sites or approved grid-export capacity.
Phase 1 Generation
Phase 1 Planning & Permitting
S 7th Ave Solar Site
Oroville
19.78 MWp DC / 15.84 MW AC
West: 11.87 MWp DC / 9.50 MW AC
East: 7.91 MWp DC / 6.34 MW AC. Site availability and development sequence remain under review.
Phase 2+ Expansion (Demand-Led)
As demand increases, BREI will expand generation sequentially. No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
PHASE 2
Koppers Solar Planning
Oroville
20.00 MWp DC / 16.02 MW AC
Combined Koppers planning capacity
Development must comply with applicable land-use restrictions and environmental requirements. Final project approvals remain pending.
PHASE 2
Solar and Battery Application
Oroville
Export limit under study
Application preparation underway
Development must comply with applicable land-use restrictions and environmental requirements. Final project approvals remain pending.
Dispatchable & Firm Resources
To ensure reliable service beyond solar production hours, BREI plans to add dispatchable resources including biomass generation and flexible peak generation.
PLANNED
Central Oroville Biomass Plant
The biomass project remains in development, with its PG&E System Impact Study underway. Final capacity, emissions controls, permits, financing, and schedule remain subject to engineering and approvals.
AS NEEDED
Energy Storage
Utility-scale battery storage to shift solar output into peak periods, reduce peaker dispatch, and enhance system flexibility. Deployed based on grid needs and economics.
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Implementation Discipline
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No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
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Optional projects are ring-fenced from core operations.
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No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
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Optional projects are ring-fenced from core operations.
Project Roadmap
Demand-led phasing. No phase proceeds without identifiable load.
Conclusion
The BREI Oroville project represents a long-term redevelopment of a former biomass site into a multi-phase renewable energy campus combining solar, biomass, storage, and future fuels production.
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As of 2026, the project remains in planning and regulatory preparation, with the solar phase expected to lead initial construction once approvals and financing are finalized.
Environmental Approach
BREI is committed to responsible development. Renewable energy development involves tradeoffs—we're committed to honest assessment of impacts and meaningful mitigation, not greenwashing.
BREI will use forest residues from wildfire mitigation and forest management operations as fuel for the biomass facility. This approach:
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reduces hazardous forest fuel loads
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supports forest thinning programs
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converts waste biomass into renewable energy.
BREI intends to convert biomass emissions into useful products through carbon utilization technologies, including:
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carbon capture
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hydrogen production
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e-methanol synthesis.
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BREI will implement a sustainable feedstock procurement strategy:
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long-term agreements with regional forestry operations
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use of waste residues rather than harvested timber
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strict fuel quality specifications.
BREI intends to maintain transparency through:
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public project updates
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environmental reporting
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collaboration with local stakeholders.
The BREI biomass facility will incorporate Best Available Technology (BAT) emissions controls, including:
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Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for NOx removal
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lime injection for acid gas control
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ceramic filtration for particulate removal
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continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).
The BREI energy campus integrates multiple renewable technologies:
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solar PV generation
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battery energy storage
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biomass baseload generation
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microgrid infrastructure.
The project redevelops the former Pacific Oroville Power biomass facility site, a legacy industrial location.
Redeveloping existing industrial land:
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reduces greenfield development
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reuses existing infrastructure
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limits environmental disturbance.
Independent soil sampling assessed dioxins and furans in specified areas of the former POPI site. The report recommended no additional investigation for those sampled areas; it does not establish clearance of the entire site or approval for redevelopment.