Granite (NYSE: GVA) has been awarded an approximately $31 million early works grading package by Hydrostor for the Willow Rock Energy Storage Center (WRESC) project in Kern County, California, according to a company statement.

The contract covers site infrastructure work on the 89-acre project site located north of Rosamond in the Mojave Desert. Granite's scope includes construction of a nine-acre pad to support drilling and excavation of a 1.3-million-cubic-yard cavern approximately 2,000 feet below the surface. Additional work includes offsite road improvements, onsite stormwater basins, and staging areas for construction materials.

The Willow Rock Energy Storage Center is a planned 500 MW Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage facility designed to power more than 400,000 homes for eight hours. The project will include four turbines.

Granite's early works grading phase began in July 2026 and is scheduled to conclude in March 2027. The award will be included in Granite's third quarter 2026 contract award portfolio.

"This award aligns with Granite's strategic focus on growing specialized private-sector work with clients that value construction expertise, collaboration, and problem-solving," said Darryl Ebel, Granite Area Manager.