The solar plants will be interconnected in 2016 and will provide over 9,500 gigawatt hours of clean energy to Georgetown through 2041. This represents enough power to supply more than 24,000 homes a year for 25 years. Upon completion, SunEdison will hand the project over to TerraForm Power Inc, a global owner and operator of clean energy plants. The project will create close to 800 jobs in Texas during its construction phase.
The project is part of Georgetown’s attempt to become 100 percent renewable within two years.
“SunEdison is very excited to be working with Georgetown Utility Systems to provide their customers with 100 percent renewable, clean energy” said Paul Gaynor, Executive Vice President of North America Utility and Global Wind at SunEdison. “Georgetown is an exceptional city, and by going 100 percent renewable they will cut down on pollution, save water, and enjoy stable energy prices. They're able to accomplish all of this without spending a penny up front with SunEdison's power purchase agreement. Georgetown is a model for other cities that hope to become powered by clean renewable energy.”
Jim Briggs, interim city manager for the City and general manager for utilities, added that when Georgetown Utility Systems opted to seek new sources of power in 2012, it was charged with a mission to secure the most cost effective energy that balanced risk and reward. Georgetown Utility Services isn't required to buy solar or other renewables – but it did so anyway because it will save on electricity costs and decrease the city’s water usage. The project makes the city one of the largest municipal utilities in the nation to be 100 percent renewable powered. It also provides a hedge against future fuel and regulatory risks.
The power purchase agreement signed by SunEdison is one of the largest solar agreements in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) jurisdiction, and represents the largest utility scale solar agreement the company has signed in Texas to date. SunEdison will construct the project and provide financing. Operation and maintenance of the solar power plants will be performed by SunEdison Services, which provides global 24/7 asset management, monitoring and reporting services.
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