Luigi Resta

Role: Speaker

Luigi Resta has been leading the utility-scale renewable energy market for over 18 years, with a focus on interconnection, development, financing, and construction. As part of his industry leadership, Resta has historically leaned into the development of energy transitioning regions around the United States and emphasizes the modernization of the power grid through development of utility-scale solar, solar plus battery, wind and pumped storage projects. In 2018, Resta founded rPlus Energies to focus on developing new utility-scale renewable energy projects. rPlus Energies develops projects that employ both traditional and new technologies to provide customers access to their region’s best mix of renewable resources, enabling a more dispatchable and reliable power supply. After just four years, rPlus Energies’ portfolio represents over 30 projects across 15 market areas in the U.S. (including solar, wind, pumped storage hydro, and solar plus battery) representing nearly 13 GW of new renewable capacity including over 60 GWh of storage capacity. In 2022, rPlus reached commercial operation on their first solar project they developed – the 104 MWdc Graphite Solar Project. In addition, construction of rPlus’ 200 MWac / 240 MWdc solar PV project in Iron County “Appaloosa Solar 1” began. In late 2022, rPlus was able to secure a long-term PPA with PacifiCorp on Green River Energy Center, a 400 MW solar PV facility integrated with a 200 MW battery energy storage system (“BESS”) in Emery County, Utah. In addition to forming rPlus Energies, Mr. Resta partnered with Gridflex Energy to create rPlus Hydro. rPlus Hydro develops pumped storage hydropower projects to support states and utilities in meeting the demands of the modern energy economy. With over 12 active projects rPlus Hydro’s portfolio represents a combined capacity of more than 7 GW. Providing up to ten hours of energy storage, these plants will be able to help meet utility needs for reliable, low-carbon power in a cost-effective manner. Prior to rPlus, Luigi commissioned Utah’s first utility-scale solar plant, the 80 MWac Utah Red Hills Renewable Energy Park and 80 MWac Three Peaks Solar Project, both in operation in Utah under different ownership and management. Mr. Resta is an active voice in the U.S. renewable energy discussion, often sharing his experiences related to transmission, interconnection, and power purchase agreements; federal and state permitting; structured financing; legislative involvement.