The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will source approximately half of its annual energy needs from renewables under a deal between energy provider Constellation and Lightsource BP.
Pennsylvania has awarded electricity accounts located throughout the state to Constellation, which in turn has executed an agreement to purchase power and project-specific renewable energy certificates (RECs) from 191MW of solar currently being developed by Lightsource BP.
Located on seven sites spanning six central Pennsylvania counties, the Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy) is expected to achieve commercial operation by December 2022.
The project will provide clean power to 16 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies once completed.
Constellation’s contract with the Commonwealth is slated to begin in January 2023.
Under the contract, the Commonwealth will source solar electricity through to the end of 2037.
The project will help fulfil Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Climate Change Executive Order, which set a goal of lowering Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels, as well as obtaining at least 40% of electricity from in-state clean energy sources.
Wolf said: “Pennsylvania has been a national energy leader for more than one hundred years.
“As we continue to diversify our grid with clean renewable sources of energy, we want to maintain Pennsylvania’s leadership position and bring the associated economic, health, and environmental benefits to all Pennsylvanians.
“This requires innovative resourcefulness as demonstrated by the general services solar energy procurement along with extensive strategic collaboration such as this partnership with Constellation and Lightsource BP.”
Under the terms of the transaction, Constellation will purchase energy and RECs from Lightsource BP and then sell the electricity and RECs to the Commonwealth’s retail accounts.
Constellation electricity charges will appear on each account’s regular utility invoice.
Constellation’s agreement with the Commonwealth marks its largest offsite renewable deal to date.
Constellation chief executive Jim McHugh said: “This clean energy solution will enable the Commonwealth to unlock the economic and sustainability benefits of a large-scale, offsite renewable project while minimising risk.
“Working in concert with Lightsource BP, we’re pleased to help the Commonwealth support the development of in-state, new-build renewable energy assets that will enable the Commonwealth to deliver on its commitments to reduce its carbon footprint and address climate change.”
Lightsource BP Americas Kevin Smith said: “Lightsource BP is committed to supporting the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals, and our owner-operator model for our solar projects means that we’re a long-term partner of Pennsylvania.
“Our 70MW solar project in Franklin County with Penn State is an example of how we develop solar with a focus on affordability and maximising environmental and community benefits.
“We’re excited to partner with Constellation and the Commonwealth to further advance that model with this new project in central Pennsylvania.”
Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute served as the Commonwealth’s technical advisor on the deal.