As the owner and operator of the LEC, NCPA has partnered with 13 public power utilities and other agencies to construct the $388m project during the past two years.
The facility will provide electricity to several participating municipal utility communities, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and the California Department of Water Resources.
NCPA general manager James H Pope said, "This facility will come online quickly, burn less fuel and produce fewer emissions."
Pope added that BART will use its portion of LEC’s output to help power its transit system trains.
Nine of NCPA’s 16 members, along with four other public entities, are sharing in LEC’s investment and benefits. US-based Silicon Valley Power is a major participant in the LEC with a 25% share of the project.
Energy Solutions Americas for Siemens president Mario Azar said, "This innovative fast-ramping, gas-fired plant was specifically designed by Siemens as a solution to balance fluctuations on diverse power grids managing both renewable and traditional energy sources."
Energy Commission chair Robert B Weisenmiller said, "The Lodi Energy Center will provide grid reliability to the Central Valley, while integrating renewable resources."
