wiredinUSA December 2011

The 250MW CSP project in San Bernardino County, CA, is expected to be online by August 2014, producing 617GWh per year. However, due to the need for transmission network upgrades to accommodate the 25-year PPA, the agreement became more costly than anticipated, and this could have marked the end of the PPA as the CPUC requires utilities to opt for the most cost-effective options. Despite the higher cost, the CPUC has approved the CSP agreement, commenting that the added renewable energy capacity for PG&E warranted the approval. CPUC President Michael R Peevey added: “Mojave Solar is the furthest developed utility-scale solar thermal project that the CPUC has encountered in our capacity of reviewing the utilities’ RPS power purchase agreements. The project is highly viable and the solar thermal facility will enhance the resource diversity of PG&E’s energy portfolio.” Mojave CSP project approved

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the power purchase agreement between Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Abengoa Solar affiliate Mojave Solar LLC, for the 250MW Mojave

concentrating solar power (CSP) facility, despite higher costs.

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wiredInUSA - December 2011