EDF Renewables North America has secured a 20-year PPA with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for the 117MW Sapphire Solar project.
Sapphire Solar is guaranteed to begin delivery of carbon-free electricity to SCPPA’s Participating Members, Anaheim, Pasadena and Vernon, by December 31 2026, EDF said.
Under the agreement, in addition to the solar production, SCPPA reserves the option to a 59 MWac x 4-hour battery energy storage system.
Sapphire Solar, located in Riverside County on private land, expects to create approximately 250 jobs during the construction phase with more than US$253m generated in new tax revenue over the operating life for taxing entities.
Vice president, west origination and power marketing for EDF Renewables, Sohinaz Sotoudeh said: “We are very pleased to build upon our successful partnership with SCPPA, initiated in 2010, and most recently with the 2018 Desert Harvest II transaction, to bring more renewable energy online in support of their decarbonization commitment for member communities.
“We look forward to future opportunities to further advance carbon-free energy for California.”
Michael Webster, executive director of SCPPA, added: “Sapphire Solar will supply 117MWac of solar capacity and a 59MWac/236 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to our growing renewable and energy storage resource mix.
“This project will help our Participating SCPPA Members meet and exceed renewable energy and resource adequacy requirements, while at the same time minimizing costs and maintaining reliability.”