The Tenaska project, based in Omaha, Nebraska, consists of 1.8 million First Solar PV panels and supplies power under a 25-year agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E). It is the company’s second large-scale solar project to achieve commercial operation. Construction of the project began in November 2014 and was managed by First Solar Inc, which will also serve as the long-term plant operator. It
“SDG&E has aggressively pursued clean, reliable and affordable energy for its consumers” said Jerry Crouse, Tenaska vice chairman and chief executive officer. “We are proud that Tenaska projects will be significant contributors to its renewable energy supply for years to come. Similar to other Tenaska facilities, Tenaska Imperial West was developed, engineered and constructed safely, in an environmentally responsible manner, on time and within budget.”
In 2011, the 130-MW Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center South became the first large-scale solar project to begin construction in California’s Imperial Valley and the first to connect to SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink. Sunrise Powerlink was built to facilitate renewable energy development in the area. Tenaska Imperial South began commercial operation in 2013.
Together, the plants hired more than 1,300 construction workers, more than 70 percent of whom were from Imperial County communities, and paid approximately $32 million in state and local sales taxes. Together the facilities can supply enough energy for approximately 100,000 California homes.
Emily Shults, SDG&E vice president of energy procurement, added that powering homes and businesses with universal solar is good for SDG&E customers and the state. Sunrise Powerlink is the foundation for giving all customers access to renewable energy and the company is looking forward to all of the innovations on the horizon that will unlock clean, safe and affordable energy choices for its customers.
In addition to large-scale solar, Tenaska’s involvement in renewable energy includes commercial and industrial distributed solar generation markets. Tenaska has a controlling interest in Jersey City, New Jersey-based Soltage, LLC, which develops, finances, installs, owns and operates rooftop and ground-mounted solar electric generating facilities for commercial entities.
Tenaska continues to explore opportunities for renewables development, including solar and wind, as well as other power generation technologies.
Image: Tenaska Imperial South
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