Idaho National Laboratory Site Eyed for Hundreds of Megawatts of Solar Power
The U.S. Department of Energy has selected two solar energy developers to enter lease negotiations for commercial clean energy projects on the sprawling Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site in eastern Idaho, potentially adding hundreds of megawatts of new electricity generation to the regional grid.
The selections followed a formal request for qualifications process launched in early 2024, through which DOE sought to identify developers capable of deploying large-scale, carbon-free electricity projects across portions of the laboratory’s 890-square-mile footprint in Bonneville County.
Two Developers Selected for Lease Negotiations
NorthRenew Energy Partners LLC and Spitfire LLC were chosen from a field of more than 20 respondents to advance into negotiations for land leases at the INL site. Both proposals pair photovoltaic solar panels with battery storage systems designed to deliver electricity directly to the grid.
NorthRenew Energy Partners is proposing a project that would occupy roughly 2,000 acres of INL land and generate more than 300 megawatts of carbon-free power. Spitfire LLC’s proposal is smaller in scope, targeting approximately 500 acres and a projected output of 100 megawatts. Combined, the two projects could bring more than 400 megawatts of new generation capacity to the area if lease agreements are finalized and construction proceeds.
The INL site, long associated with nuclear energy research and cleanup operations, sits largely undeveloped beyond its research and remediation footprint — making it a candidate for large-scale land-based energy projects without displacing agricultural or private land.
Public Comment Informed the Selection Process
Before issuing the formal qualifications request, DOE circulated a request for information open to clean energy developers, tribal nations, and the general public. That process generated more than 20 responses, and the feedback gathered was used to shape the criteria and structure of the subsequent solicitation.
The dual-developer selection approach suggests DOE intends to evaluate competing proposals rather than award an exclusive lease, though formal lease terms remain subject to ongoing negotiation.
The INL site has drawn growing interest as a location for energy development given its size, existing transmission infrastructure connections, and federal ownership. Idaho is home to significant renewable energy potential, and projects of this scale on federal land could contribute meaningfully to domestic energy production goals. For more on energy and infrastructure developments shaping Idaho communities, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage.
What Comes Next
NorthRenew Energy Partners and Spitfire LLC will now enter formal negotiations with DOE over lease terms for their respective proposed project areas. No construction timeline has been announced, and lease agreements must be finalized before either project can move to development. Community members and stakeholders in Bonneville County and across eastern Idaho will likely have additional opportunities to weigh in as the process moves forward. Bonneville County News will continue to follow developments at the INL site and other federal land projects in the region.