SCE is currently the nation’s leading purchaser of renewable energy and, in 2008, bought more than 65 percent of the solar energy produced in the United States for its customers. Also in 2008, the utility purchased about 12.5 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, which comprises about 16 percent of SCE’s total energy portfolio. SCE currently has sufficient contracts in place that, when delivering, will meet 20 percent or more of its customers’ energy needs with renewable energy.
SCE also recently signed two wind-energy contracts. One agreement, with Puget Sound Energy signed in January, calls for 2 billion kilowatt-hours over the next two years. The projects are located in Columbia and Kittitas counties in Washington state. The other, with AES Mountainview, calls for 66.6 megawatts from a wind farm in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs. This 10-year contract was signed in November 2008.
In addition, SCE launched Renewables Standard Contract Program, which is available for all renewable technologies of 20 megawatts or less. This program is designed to help smaller renewable generators contribute to reaching California’s aggressive renewable energy and environmental goals. It also provides a faster, simpler way for renewable projects under 20 megawatts to sell their power to utility customers.
2008 Renewables Summary
| |
Capacity
(MW) |
Delivered in 2008
(MWh) |
Percentage of
SCE's Renewable portfolio (%) |
| Wind |
1,137 |
2,572,011 |
21% |
| Geothermal |
906 |
7,839,726 |
62% |
| Solar |
356 |
730,712 |
6% |
| Biomass |
185 |
904,465 |
7% |
| Small hydro |
200 |
526,193 |
4% |
| Total |
2,784 |
12,573,107 |
100.0% | |
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