Gestamp Solar and 8minutenergy Renewables LLC announced the signing of a 20-year contract to sell 50 MWac (66.5 MWdc) of clean, renewable solar energy from their Midway Solar Farm project in Imperial County, Calif., to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The transaction was conducted with 83WI 8ME, LLC, a subsidiary of Calif.-based 8minutenergy Renewables, and Gestamp Solar, which has developed power plants with a total capacity of more than 500 MW. The two companies have a joint agreement to develop and build the Midway Solar Farm project.
The Midway Solar Farm project is a utility-scale solar generation facility sited on 486 acres of low-productivity farmland. Construction is projected to begin in 2015, with the site expected to be operational and delivering renewable energy to third parties in 2016, and to Pacific Gas and Electric Company in 2020. This clean solar generation plant will displace the equivalent of approximately 141,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, which is equal to the amount that roughly 5.9 million trees would displace annually.
“The Midway Solar Farm will create approximately 120 direct and 150 indirect jobs during construction, and contribute to the local economy in Imperial County,” said Martin Hermann, chief executive officer of 8minutenergy Renewables. “We are proud to help California meet its clean energy goals, while also bringing jobs to areas that badly need them. The employment opportunities this project creates will help Imperial County, which currently suffers from one of the highest rates of unemployment in the state and in the country.”
“This PPA for the Midway Solar Farm represents a true milestone for all parties involved,” said Jorge Barredo, CEO of Gestamp Solar. “It is testament to the close collaboration between Gestamp Solar and 8minutenergy, and to the hard work of our team.”
“The annual production of approximately 125 million kilowatt hours (kWhs) of electricity by Midway Solar Farm will generate renewable solar energy that will power nearly 23,000 households in California,” said Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables. “Strong support from state, county and local officials has been instrumental to the progress of this project. Along with our partner Gestamp Solar, we look forward to continuing to develop the Midway Solar Farm.”
The solar power system for the Midway Solar Farm will be comprised of state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic modules, related power electronics, and other components including an advanced tracking system that follows the sun to maximize energy production. The PPA contract is pending approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.
— Solar Builder magazine
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