Cadiz Signs Second MOU for Hydrogen - Solar Development at Cadiz Ranch

Rhea-AI Summary

Cadiz (NASDAQ: CDZI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UK-based Hoku Energy Limited to develop a major clean energy campus at Cadiz Ranch in California's Mojave Desert. The agreement grants Hoku Energy a three-year exclusive option to develop over 10,000 acres for green hydrogen production, renewable power generation, battery storage, and data centers. Combined with their previous 2024 agreement with RIC Energy for 3,000 acres of green hydrogen production, these projects are expected to position Cadiz Ranch as one of North America's largest clean energy campuses. The developments are projected to generate $7-$10 million annually in lease revenue and water supply sales. The MOU preserves Cadiz's existing operations, including agricultural activities and the Mojave Groundwater Bank development, while reserving 400 acres for additional commercial development.

Positive

• Expected to generate $7-$10 million per year in lease revenue and water supply sales
• Secures development rights for over 10,000 acres of clean energy projects
• Positions Cadiz Ranch to become one of North America's largest clean energy and green hydrogen production hubs
• Maintains existing operations while expanding into renewable energy sector
• Strategic location with access to rail lines, water resources, and pipeline infrastructure

Negative

• Project development is subject to a three-year option period with no guaranteed execution
• Significant capital investment and regulatory approvals may be required for project completion
• Success depends on third-party development partners Hoku Energy and RIC Energy

Insights

Clean Energy Infrastructure Analyst

Cadiz secures second major MOU for clean energy development, potentially generating $7-10M annual revenue while strategically diversifying its land assets.

Cadiz's new MOU with Hoku Energy represents a significant strategic expansion of its land utilization model. The agreement gives Hoku a three-year exclusive option to develop over 10,000 acres at Cadiz Ranch for green hydrogen production, renewable power generation, battery storage, and data centers. This follows a 2024 agreement with RIC Energy for green hydrogen production on up to 3,000 acres.

The financial impact is substantial - these clean energy and digital infrastructure projects are expected to generate $7-$10 million annually in lease revenue and water supply sales. This represents a meaningful diversification of revenue streams while maintaining Cadiz's core water resource business.

What makes this deal particularly valuable is how it leverages Cadiz's unique infrastructure advantages. The property's access to rail lines, water resources, pipelines, and pipeline corridors creates significant development synergies. The company has strategically reserved 400 acres for potential data center development, with Hoku securing first refusal rights to power any such facility - creating an integrated clean energy ecosystem.

The structure of this deal demonstrates sophisticated asset management. Cadiz preserves its existing agricultural operations and continues development of its Mojave Groundwater Bank while adding a complementary revenue stream. This positions Cadiz Ranch to become one of North America's largest clean energy campuses and green hydrogen production hubs, potentially increasing the property's long-term value beyond current projections.

Clean energy and digital infrastructure projects at Cadiz expected to generate $7- $10 million per year in lease revenue and water supply sales, in addition to supporting sustainable water and farming operations and data center development.

CADIZ, Calif., June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadiz Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) announced today that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with UK-based Hoku Energy Limited and its affiliates (the "MOU" or "agreement") to develop a major clean energy campus at Cadiz Ranch in California's Mojave Desert. The MOU with Hoku represents the second prospective land lease for clean energy development that the Company has entered within the past year and furthers the Company's commitment to sustainable development of its land and water assets.

The MOU provides Hoku Energy with a three-year exclusive option to develop the project on more than 10,000 acres at Cadiz Ranch.  The Hoku project could include green hydrogen production facilities, large-scale renewable and low carbon power generation, large scale battery storage facilities, and integrated digital infrastructure, such as data centers, on the leased property or integrated with facilities off the leased property.

The agreement does not restrict existing and planned commercial development at Cadiz, including current agricultural operations, development of the Mojave Groundwater Bank, development of a green hydrogen production facility in partnership with RIC Energy and reserves 400 acres for additional commercial development which could include a data center.  Under the agreement, if a data center is developed within this 400-acre area, Hoku Energy will have a right of first refusal to supply power to that facility.

"This agreement with Hoku Energy is the capstone of our long-term land use strategy," said Susan Kennedy, Chair of Cadiz Inc. "Hoku Energy's vision aligns with our mission to support sustainable, scaled development of critical energy and water infrastructure in California and the Southwest."

The Cadiz property's extensive infrastructure—including access to rail lines, water resources, and pipelines and pipeline corridors—makes it well suited for large-scale, integrated renewable energy and data center development.  The agreement with Hoku complements Cadiz's development of its flagship water supply and storage project, the Mojave Groundwater Bank, and follows Cadiz's 2024 agreement with RIC Energy to develop up to 3,000 acres for green hydrogen production. Together, the RIC and Hoku projects are expected to position Cadiz Ranch as one of the largest clean energy campuses and green hydrogen production hubs in North America.

Additional details about the MOU are included in a Current Report on Form 8K filed by Cadiz today with the SEC.   

About Cadiz, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Cadiz, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) is a California water solutions company dedicated to providing access to clean, reliable and affordable water for people through a unique combination of water supply, storage, pipeline and treatment solutions. With 45,000 acres of land in California, 2.5 million acre-feet of water supply, 220 miles of pipeline assets and the most cost-effective water treatment filtration technology in the industry, Cadiz offers a full suite of solutions to address the impacts of climate change on clean water access.  For more information, please visit https://www.cadizinc.com. 

About Hoku Energy Limited UK
Hoku Energy, via its subsidiaries in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India and the United States, is developing advanced clean energy and infrastructure projects, and the required zero and low carbon fuel supply chains for those, in support of the decarbonization initiatives of countries and large corporations across the globe. Its power and infrastructure solutions are capable of flexible operations, and either grid connected or stand alone.                                                 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "would," "will," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "expects," "plans," and "proposes." These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated development, scale, and timing of the proposed clean energy and digital infrastructure project contemplated under the MOU, as well as the potential benefits to Cadiz. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those related to the Company's business, financial condition, and operations generally, as well as other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent filings under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Cadiz, Inc.

FAQ

What is the expected annual revenue from Cadiz's clean energy and infrastructure projects?

The clean energy and digital infrastructure projects at Cadiz Ranch are expected to generate $7-$10 million per year in lease revenue and water supply sales.

How many acres will Hoku Energy develop at Cadiz Ranch?

Hoku Energy has a three-year exclusive option to develop more than 10,000 acres at Cadiz Ranch for clean energy projects.

What types of clean energy projects will be developed at CDZI's Cadiz Ranch?

The projects include green hydrogen production facilities, renewable and low carbon power generation, large-scale battery storage facilities, and integrated digital infrastructure such as data centers.

How does the Hoku Energy agreement affect Cadiz's existing operations?

The agreement does not restrict existing operations, including agricultural activities, Mojave Groundwater Bank development, and the RIC Energy hydrogen facility, while reserving 400 acres for additional commercial development.

What infrastructure advantages does Cadiz Ranch offer for clean energy development?

Cadiz Ranch offers access to rail lines, water resources, pipelines, and pipeline corridors, making it well-suited for large-scale renewable energy and data center development.