Peninsula Clean Energy has agreed to procure 245 MW of power from three California wind projects, a significant supplement to a growing portfolio of solar generation that is helping the agency achieve its goal of providing reliable all-renewable, emission-free power by 2025.
“In order to hit our 100% renewable goal we will need some significant contributions from wind energy,” said Jan Pepper, CEO of Peninsula Clean Energy. “We are particularly gratified to have longer-term commitments in a highly competitive market for wind energy projects that will help us further push the envelope in giving our customers clean and affordable power.”
The three contracts Peninsula Clean Energy has signed:
- Shiloh I: A seven-year extension, through 2030, of an existing 150-MW wind project in Solano County with Avangrid Renewables. The current five-year term ends in December 2023.
- Voyager II: Eight years, through 2028, with Shell Energy North America (U.S.), for half of the capacity and renewable energy generated by the existing approximately 130-MW wind project near Mojave.
- Sky River: Half of the expected 60 MW generated for 20 years from this project being repowered by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources near Bakersfield in Kern County. The project, which will repower an existing facility by replacing 157 existing turbines with 11 new turbines for Peninsula Clean Energy’s portion, is expected to be operational by September 2021.
The additional wind generation will bring Peninsula Clean Energy closer to meeting its goal of providing renewable-only generation by 2025. It will supplement solar generation — including supply from the newly commissioned 200-MW Wright Solar and 100-MW Mustang Two Whirlaway projects — when solar production wanes.
“We are pleased to work with Peninsula Clean Energy to bring additional low-cost, renewable energy to its customers and economic growth to California,” said Matt Handel, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources. “Once construction on this upgrade is completed, our project partners will enjoy an improved wind project that is more efficient and produces cost-effective energy.”
News item from Peninsula Clean Energy
The fact that solar and wind are making their way into society is showing we are making the right moves. Solar and Wind energy are the future for our planet and we must continue to lay a foundation that should provide a blueprint on what is needed.
The big thing from the article is “In order to hit our 100% renewable goal we will need some significant contributions from wind energy,” . Goes to show that solar and wind need to work together to be able to maximize the results.