SAN FRANCISCO: Lightsource BP, one of the world’s largest owner-operators of solar energy assets, announced today two new U.S. collaborations, with California’s Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), one of the nation’s largest municipal utilities, and with Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC), a member-owned distribution cooperative in New Mexico. The power purchase agreements (PPAs), comprising 25 megawatts (MWs), will bring locally-generated solar photovoltaic (PV) power to the utilities’ customers over 20+ year terms.
“We’re excited to deliver affordable local solar to our utility partners and their customers,” said Katherine Ryzhaya, Lightsource BP’s U.S. Chief Commercial Officer. “Our solar solutions will drive local economic development and job growth, increase utility customer satisfaction, and provide a cleaner, healthier environment for their communities.”
David Windle, BP head of solar energy, said, “The United States is an important market for renewables and for Lightsource BP, and this announcement demonstrates the real momentum we are building across the country. These new collaborations build upon BP’s track record in operating wind farms across the US and is another example of how we are advancing the global energy transition.”
Wildflower Solar I, roughly 16 MW[DC], will be located within SMUD’s territory and will support SMUD’s popular community solar program, SolarShares. Additionally, SMUD and Lightsource BP are currently exploring the addition of energy storage to the PV system.
In New Mexico, Lightsource BP will develop and construct the project within CDEC’s territory. The co-op will serve this clean energy to its members through its own distribution system.
These projects, along with Lightsource BP’s Mid-Kansas Electric Company solar development, serve as models for public power and cooperative utilities to gain more control of their power resources and serve their members with local, affordable, and clean energy.
About Lightsource BP
Lightsource BP is an independent, global leader in the funding, development, acquisition and long-term management of solar PV projects. In late 2017, the company and BP announced that they had agreed to form a strategic partnership, when BP acquired a 43% equity share and the company was rebranded Lightsource BP. Established in 2010, Lightsource BP has swiftly become the largest utility scale solar developer and largest O&M services provider in Europe with over $3 billion of capital invested across 2GW of solar projects globally. Through its integrated platform, structured finance, in-house engineering excellence and dedicated O&M division, Lightsource BP plays a pivotal role in driving the future global energy mix. The company also boasts some of the leading talent in the industry, with a team of over 300 specialists in seven offices across four continents. For more information, visit http://www.lightsourcebp.com.
Source: Lightsource BP
