The agreement, which now requires approval from the California Public Utilities Commission, calls for a series of seven projects totaling 1,300 MW.
“These contracts represent a significant addition to our renewable portfolio, which is already the nation’s largest,” said Stuart Hemphill, SCE vice president, renewable and alternative power. “This innovative solar technology helps to further our position as the nation’s largest purchaser of solar energy, as well.”
“This landmark agreement illustrates the increasing demand for solar thermal energy as a reliable source of utility-scale renewable power,” said John Woolard, chief executive officer of BrightSource . “We look forward to working with Southern California Edison to provide clean, reliable and cost-competitive solar energy.”
BrightSource will build and place in commercial operation each of its plants as quickly as permitting and infrastructure allow. The full 1,300 megawatts of projects will produce 3.7 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy and avoid more than two million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent of removing more than 335,000 cars from the road.
