California Public Utilities Commission approves 1,088 MW of renewable energy capacity for Southern California Edison's solar projects, Pacific Gas & Electric wind projects, San Diego Gas & Electric wind facility

Tracy McDonald

SAN FRANCISCO , January 13, 2012 (press release) – The California Public Utilities Commission has approved five renewable energy contracts totaling 1,088 megawatts (MW) of capacity with forecast annual generation of 2,927 gigawatt-hours (GWh), furthering the state’s progress towards its renewable energy goals.

Southern California Edison received approval of three 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Solar Star California (SunPower) for the Quinto, AVSP I, and AVSP II projects. The PPAs are for solar photovoltaic facilities that will provide 711 MW of new renewable capacity and an estimated 1,835 GWh of energy annually. The projects will be located near Los Banos and Rosamond, Calif. Energy deliveries from the Quinto project are anticipated to begin in December 2014. Energy deliveries from the AVSP I and AVSP II projects are anticipated to begin in October 2016. Said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey, “As we look for ways of decreasing the cost of renewables, I’m glad to see that these contracts represent more than 700 megawatts that are below the market price referent.”

Pacific Gas and Electric Company received approval of a 25-year PPA with Montezuma Winds II, LLC (NextEra) for the Montezuma Winds II project. The PPA is for a wind facility that will provide 78.2 MW of new renewable capacity and an estimated 201 GWh of energy annually. The project will be located in the Montezuma Hills of Solano County, Calif., a well-known wind resource area. Energy deliveries from the Montezuma Winds II project are anticipated to begin in November 2012.

San Diego Gas & Electric received approval of a 20-year PPA with Ocotillo Express, LLC (Pattern) for the Ocotillo Express project. The PPA is for a wind facility that will provide 299 MW of new renewable capacity and an estimated 891 GWh of energy annually. The project will be located 25 miles west of El Centro in Imperial County, Calif. Energy deliveries from the Ocotillo Express project are anticipated to begin in December 2012.

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