US-based non-profit public agency MCE has achieved commercial operations on a 130MWdc Antelope Expansion 2 solar project in Lancaster, California.
Antelope Expansion 2 will be the second solar facility that has come online as a result of the partnership between sPower and MCE. It was completed by sPower in December 2018.
The energy generated by the solar facility will be sufficient to power more than 26,000 homes in the region while eliminating over 217,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide on an annual basis.
MCE CEO Dawn Weisz said: “MCE is proud to partner with sPower and unions to continue supporting the green jobs and renewable energy projects that will both bolster local communities and evolve into the cornerstone of the state’s new economy.
“Projects like this demonstrate MCE’s mission to offer renewable energy options that helped MCE customers meet California’s SB 100 renewable energy targets 11 years ahead of schedule.”
“Projects like this demonstrate MCE’s mission to offer the 60-100% renewable energy options that helped MCE customers meet California’s SB 100 renewable energy targets 11 years ahead of schedule.”
The clean energy generated by the solar project will be supplied to MCE under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). MCE is California’s first Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programme.
sPower Origination senior vice-president Hans Isern said: “The project is indicative of the trend of CCAs taking a leadership position in renewable procurement within California.
“CCAs are giving electric customers in California the ability to select a cleaner source of power from in-state projects, which also helps provide more opportunities for local businesses, labour unions, and communities within the state.”
sPower is a joint venture between The AES Corp and the Alberta Investment Management Corp.
