Asset manager Capital Dynamics and US developer 8minute Solar Energy have begun commercial operation of the 121MW Springbok 3 photovoltaic plant in California.
Springbok 3 is the third and final phase in the Springbok cluster, comprising a 448MW solar development in Kern County.
The project includes a 1.5 megawatt-hour lithium ion battery, the first energy storage system to be installed with a PV plant owned by Capital Dynamics.
Capital Dynamics acquired a majority interest in the project from 8minute in September 2018.
“On a typical day, the Springbok solar cluster can deliver about 10% of the electricity needed to power the City of Los Angeles,” said 8Minute chief executive Tom Buttgenbach.
Springbok 3 has a long-term power purchase agreement with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) on behalf of its participating member, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
The joint power authority aggregates southern California power demand to purchase and finance energy and assets at competitive prices for its member municipalities and irrigation districts.
“We are extremely proud to have reached commercial operation of the Springbok 3 solar project and are grateful for the hard work and efficiency of 8minute for their help in reaching this successful completion,” said Capital Dynamics clean infrastructure managing director Benoit Allehaut.
“This project continues our mission to develop state-of-the-art solar projects that provide clean and reliable energy to residents while assisting states to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and meet their energy independence goals,” he added.
“The Capital Dynamics team, our dedicated partners, the County of Kern, and the outstanding local workforce were all critical in ensuring that we’re able to complete one of the largest solar projects in the state,” Buttgenbach added.