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.
wiredInUSA - December 2011
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