MOSS LANDING, Calif. — A fire erupted Thursday afternoon at the Moss Landing Power Plant’s 300-megawatt Phase I energy storage facility, prompting evacuations and air quality warnings for nearby communities, officials said.
Vistra Corp., the plant’s operator, confirmed that all personnel were safely evacuated and that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. “Our top priority is the safety of the community and our personnel, and Vistra deeply appreciates the continued assistance of our local emergency responders,” the company said in a statement.
Emergency crews from the North Monterey County Fire District responded to the incident, and Monterey County officials have advised residents in Zones MRY-B047 and MRY-B053 to close windows and doors and shut off air systems as a precaution.
Santa Cruz County Public Health officials issued similar guidance, urging residents to stay indoors, limit outdoor exposure, and monitor updates. San Benito County authorities reported no immediate threat but stated they are monitoring the situation closely.
The Moss Landing Power Plant, once California’s largest power producer, now hosts one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities, with 930 MW of capacity. The site has previously experienced fires during construction and operation, leading to corrective actions by PG&E and Tesla.
An investigation into the cause of the latest fire will begin once it is fully extinguished.
A major fire at Moss Landing’s battery facility raises safety concerns at one of the world’s largest energy storage sites.
