Fire at Vistra Energy's Moss Landing Power Plant, One of World's Largest Lithium Battery Facilities, Prompts Evacuations

Jan 17, 2025, 06:55 AM

A significant fire broke out at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, California, on Thursday afternoon, prompting immediate evacuation orders for nearby residents and the closure of parts of Highway 1. The fire, which started around 3 p.m. local time, was reported at a battery storage facility owned by Vistra Energy, one of the world's largest such facilities with a capacity of 750 megawatts and 3,000 megawatt-hours. The facility uses lithium batteries for energy storage. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for areas south of the Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road to the ocean. Approximately 40% of the building has been reported to have burned. The Castroville Recreation Center was designated as a temporary evacuation point. No injuries have been reported, but the fire has raised concerns about hazardous materials and potential chemical releases. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and it is not related to the wildfires in the Los Angeles area.