South San Francisco, CA November 12, 2021
15-year agreement a significant boost toward 24/7 renewable power
Peninsula Clean Energy has entered into its second 15-year agreement to procure emission-free solar and battery storage from a single project, a significant move toward the organization’s goal of offering customers 24/7 renewable electricity.
Peninsula Clean Energy reached a power purchase agreement with Arica Solar, LLC, that includes 100 megawatts (MW) of solar and 50 MW (200 megawatt hours) of four-hour lithium-ion battery storage that will allow solar power to be used even when the sun is not shining. The project, which will be developed and owned by Clearway Energy Group, is expected to be operational on or around April 1, 2024. Construction will utilize a project labor agreement with area unions.
It is the second solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement Peninsula Clean Energy has reached, following a 15-year deal signed in September with Leeward Renewable Energy involving 102 MW of solar and 52 MW of battery storage from the Chaparral Solar Facility in Kern County.
The location of the Arica Solar project in Riverside County was chosen in consultation with environmental activists to avoid harm to area species and habitat.
“This project has the dual benefit of generating emission-free power and in a way that explicitly protects our sensitive wildlife and other habitats,” said City of Millbrae Mayor Ann Schneider, who is a member of Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors.
“Reaching our goal of providing 24/7 renewable power to our customers is one of the most consequential actions we can take to help our region address a rapidly changing climate,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Jan Pepper said. “This project is another means to get there by producing and storing more emission-free solar power that can be used day or night, in the summer and winter.”
About Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency. It is the official electricity provider for San Mateo County and, beginning in 2022, for the City of Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county, the agency serves 295,000 customers by providing more than 3,500 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 100 percent carbon-free and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Peninsula Clean Energy is on track to deliver electricity that is 100 percent renewable by 2025. The agency has earned investment grade credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch. Follow us at PenCleanEnergy.com, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.