Expanding Storage Capacity by 50%: Solar Projects Cowboy Solar I & II and BESS in Wyoming
The Cowboy Solar I & II and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project, a significant renewable energy initiative in Wyoming, is set to undergo expansion and regulatory updates. Here's a summary of the key developments and timelines:
Timeline
The project received an approved amendment to its Industrial Siting Permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) in mid-2025, which includes extensions and modifications for construction and operational plans.
On August 13, 2025, the Wyoming Board approved a 50% increase in battery storage capacity for the Laramie County solar project associated with Cowboy I. Construction and operational timelines align with permits typically authorizing phased development, with some delays and extensions being common as reflected in related regional solar projects.
Capacity
Cowboy Solar I spans over 2,215 acres and has a substantial solar generation capacity (exact megawatt capacity not explicitly stated but presumably in the range consistent with its acreage and similar projects). The battery energy storage system capacity has been increased by 50%, indicating a substantial scale-up in the ability to store and manage energy generated onsite.
Beneficiaries
The project benefits primarily urban and rural Wyoming communities by increasing clean energy generation capacity and providing economic benefits such as local job creation during construction phases. The storage component supports grid reliability and power availability, enhancing overall energy security for customers in the region.
Enbridge, a publicly traded company operating the project, and the private landowners leasing their agricultural land for development, have vested interests in maintaining property safety and sustainable operations.
Though specific combined capacity numbers and detailed beneficiary lists are not provided for Cowboy Solar II, it is clear that the project is an integral part of Wyoming's growing renewable energy infrastructure, aligning with state and federal goals to expand solar and storage capabilities. Regulatory permits and amendments are actively managed through WDEQ and state boards, indicating ongoing project maturation.
The Cowboy Solar I construction is expected to begin by March 2025, while Cowboy Solar 11 is planned for August 2027. The project, led by Enbridge Inc., one of the largest solar developers in the USA, is set to be carried out in two phases, Cowboy Solar 1 and Cowboy Solar 11, at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. Upon completion, the Cowboy solar power plant will generate enough electricity to power more than all homes in Wyoming (771,000 homes plus). The project is located in Laramie County, Wyoming, approximately 4 miles southeast of Cheyenne.
The Cowboy Solar I & II project is a proposed utility-scale solar power project with integrated battery storage, making it one of the largest, if not the largest, solar power projects in Wyoming. The construction of the solar power plant will feature over 1.2 million panels. The project is designated to provide power for large industrial corporate customers in Wyoming, not homeowners. The developer plans to construct a total of 269 MW battery energy storage systems, with 136 MW for Cowboy Solar I and 133 MW for Cowboy Solar II.
The updated Western Solar Plan, an update of BLM's 2012 Western Solar Plan, has expanded to include Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, following months of stakeholder engagements. The project's combined capacity will be 400 MW solar for Phase I and 365 MW solar plus 133 MW battery storage for Phase II. The approval came approximately four months after Enbridge Inc. submitted a request for approval.
- The expansion of the Cowboy Solar I & II Project and the BESS Project includes updates in construction and operational plans, as approved by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) in mid-2025.
- The battery energy storage system capacity of Cowboy Solar I has been increased by 50%, signifying a substantial enhancement in the storage and management of onsite renewable energy.
- Enbridge, the company operating the project, and private landowners, who lease their land for development, have a vested interest in maintaining property safety and sustainable operations, aligning with the growing renewable energy infrastructure in Wyoming.
