8minutenergy Renewables to Develop 100MW Solar Farm for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
California (PRWEB) November 13, 2014 -- 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC today announced the signing of a 25-year contract to sell 100 megawatts-ac (133 MW-dc) of clean, renewable solar energy from its Springbok Solar Farm project, located 70 miles north of Los Angeles in Kern County, Calif., to the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA), on behalf of its participating member, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The transaction was conducted with 62SK 8me, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Calif.-based 8minutenergy Renewables, which is the nation's leading independent solar PV developer. 8minutenergy will develop, build and operate the Springbok Solar Farm.
The Springbok Solar Farm project is a utility-scale solar generation facility sited on up to 950 acres of low-productivity farmland. Construction is projected to begin in the first quarter of 2015, with the site expected to be operational and delivering renewable energy to the LADWP by June, 2016. This clean solar generation plant will displace the equivalent of approximately 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, which is equal to the amount that roughly 12 million trees would displace annually.
"8minutenergy is pleased to work with SCPPA and LADWP to deliver clean renewable energy to the people of Los Angeles," said Martin Hermann, chief executive officer of 8minutenergy Renewables. "We look forward to building the Springbok Solar Farm, which will produce approximately 265 million kilowatt hours (kWhs) of electricity annually for LADWP to power nearly 50,000 households in Los Angeles."
“This project by 8minutenergy at Springbok is an important component of our Power System Resource Transformation program, and our efforts to further enhance solar as an energy resource for L.A.," said Randy Howard, LADWP Power Assistant General Manager. “As Los Angeles expands its energy mix to include more renewables like solar, this contract with 8minutenergy will add capacity to the Barren Ridge renewable energy corridor and meet our goal of providing 33 percent clean energy to Los Angeles residents by the end of 2020.”
“SCPPA is pleased to be able to continue to assist our members in fulfilling the needs of their renewable portfolio,” said Bill Carnahan, Executive Director of SCPPA. “Through this engagement SCPPA looks forward to a successful and mutually beneficial business relationship with 8minutenergy.”
"8minutenergy appreciates the support this solar project has received from state, county and local officials,” said Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables. “In addition, the Springbok solar project will benefit the region by creating 300 direct and 400 indirect jobs during construction. We are particularly proud that the workforce will include graduates from Homeboy Industry’s solar PV training program."
Graduates of Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries' solar panel installation training and certification program will provide some of the labor for the projects through a partnership between 8minutenergy and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 428. Homeboy Industries serves formerly high-risk, gang-involved men and women with a continuum of free services and programs, and operates seven job-training sites.
The solar power system for Springbok 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 has been approved by the City of Los Angeles.
About 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
8minutenergy Renewables develops, finances, engineers, constructs, holds, operates and maintains solar projects. To date, 8minutenergy Renewables has been awarded over 1,100 MW in PPAs; secured more than 1,200 MW in General Interconnection Agreements (GIA); obtained Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for 9,140 acres; and has 15,000 acres of land under contract. 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.
Media Contacts:
8minutenergy Renewables
Kent Streeb
P: 530.908.9225
kstreeb(at)8minutenergy.com
Kent Streeb, 8minutenergy Renewables, http://www.8minutenergy.com, +1 (530) 908-9225, [email protected]
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