Agreement for 484 MW solar thermal in California

The commission for energy regulation has approved a power purchase agreement for two 242 MW plants, allowing construction works to start. Initial operations of first facility are planned for 2013

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved an agreement signed by Solar Millennium and Southern California Edison (SCE, one of the major US power utilities), which regulates the purchase of electricity produced by two thermodynamic plants with linear parabolic mirrors to be built in Blythe, near Los Angeles for 20 years.
Both plants are included in a project that foresees the construction of four 242 MW facilities, which Solar Millennium is planning to realize forming a joint venture with Ferrostaal AG.

The start of construction for the first of the two plants is scheduled for the end of this year, with initial operations planned for 2013. The second facility is planned to start operations after one year. Both plants are expected to produce a total of approximately 1,100 GWh per year.

The Blythe project is considered to be a significant milestone for California’s energy policy. Here, energy service providers are required to deliver a 20% share of renewable energy in their electricity supply by 2010, lifting this share to  33 by 2020.

(July 2010)