8minutenergy Signs Generation Interconnection Agreement (GIA) with ISO and SDG&E for 200 Megawatts of Solar PV Power
Folsom, CA (PRWEB) July 09, 2012
8minutenergy Renewables, a leading independent solar PV developer based in California, today announced the signing of a Generation Interconnection Agreement (GIA) with the California Independent Systems Operator Corporation (ISO) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for 200 megawatts (200MWac) of clean, renewable utility-scale solar PV power from its solar project in Imperial Valley, Calif. The GIA confirms that 8minutenergy’s solar project has completed ISO’s Phase I and Phase II interconnection study processes as well as posted the required letters of credits.
The agreement details a series of investments by 8minutenergy to upgrade San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) power network, which will bring additional jobs and revenues to the region. Located on 1,422 acres of private, disturbed, low-value farm land, the solar project is scheduled to start construction in early 2014 and begin delivering renewable energy to SDG&E in December 2014. The project will create nearly 450 direct jobs and over 500 indirect jobs in Imperial County, Calif. during construction.
The solar project’s annual production capacity of approximately 500 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity will produce enough renewable solar energy to serve 72,000 households in SDG&E’s service territory. This clean solar generation plant will displace the equivalent of about 356,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, which is equal to the amount that roughly 15 million trees would displace annually.
“Solar projects of this nature will provide Californians with clean, renewable energy,” said California ISO President and CEO Steve Berberich. “By signing this agreement, we are another step closer to helping California achieve important green energy goals.”
“This agreement is critical for 8minutenergy, ISO and SDG&E to continue to develop clean, reliable, renewable energy for the people of California,” said Martin Hermann, chief executive officer of 8minutenergy Renewables. “Coming on the heels of the approval of our 600 MW solar project – the largest in the world, currently – this GIA furthers our comprehensive approach to select the most favorable regions for the transmission and interconnection of renewable energy projects.”
“This GIA means that 8minutenergy will be able to bring more jobs and economic stimulus to the Imperial Valley, an area in need of both,” said Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables.
This project is part of the company’s portfolio of over 2,000 MW of utility-scale solar PV power under development by 8minutenergy in California. Over the life of 8minutenergy’s 12 solar farm projects in the Imperial Valley, the ongoing fiscal and economic benefits are projected to produce: $ 2.3 billion in total economic output, 240 new jobs, $ 1.5 billion in direct expenditures, $ 50 million in additional property taxes, and a $ 12.3 million net fiscal impact on the general fund. All 8minutenergy solar projects are considered in-state resources and are located on disturbed, low-value farm land.
The solar project will connect with SDG&E’s Imperial Valley substation, and its renewable solar energy will be transmitted over the utility’s Sunrise Powerlink transmission line, currently under construction and slated for completion in 2012.
The utility-scale solar power system for the solar project is 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. This solar composition of large scale solar arrays is designed to feed the SDG&E electric utility grid and represents the future paradigm for large scale electrical generation.
About 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
8minutenergy is a California-based company that is passionate about helping California develop its renewable energy industry and is developing more than 2,000 MW of utility-scale solar projects all located on private, disturbed and low-value farm land within California. 8minutenergy’s development team is the largest focused on utility-scale solar PV in California and the United States. In concert with our partners, 8minutenergy delivers complete solar power plant solutions, including all aspects of development, financing, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance. 8minutenergy’s proprietary transmission, land and economic analysis process and tools helps select optimal power plant sites for accelerated permitting with counties and utilities. 8minutenergy has offices in Folsom, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and El Centro, California. For more information, please call (916) 608-9060, send email to info(at)8minutenergy(dot)com or visit http://www.8minutenergy.com.
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