Tuesday 3 September 2013

EDF Energy’s US solar plant goes online

Power supplier EDF Energy’s renewable arm has announced its solar project in the US has reached commercial operation.

The Catalina Solar project – located in California’s Mojave Desert - has a total capacity of 143MW and can generate enough electricity to power 35,000 homes.

It consists of 1.1 million solar panels and is estimated to offset 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

The clean energy is provided to San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement. The project is expected to help California’s aim of generating 33% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President of EDF Renewable Energy said: “Projects like Catalina Solar underscore the meaningful role that stable policy at the national and state levels can play in enhancing our nation’s long-term energy security.”

EDF Renewable Energy’s total installed capacity in the US stands at 1,962MW. Last month Mitsubishi bought 50% stakes in two new solar projects in France from EDF Energy.