S(an)D(iego)G&E to Buy 120 MW of Solar, Geothermal Energy (by 2010)

[jpak]

SDG&E to Buy 120 MW of Solar, Geothermal Energy

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46551

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) signed two new contracts to procure an additional 120 megawatts (MW) of solar and geothermal power for its customers by 2010. SDG&E, which now has approximately 16 percent of its customers' energy requirements under contract to be delivered by 2010, will be submitting the new contracts for approval to the California Public Utilities Commission this year.

Two solar contracts with Bethel Energy LLC will add nearly 100 MW of renewable electricity to SDG&E's energy portfolio. Another contract with Esmeralda Energy Co. will supply an additional 20 MW of geothermal energy beyond the 20 MW SDG&E announced in March 2006.

"We are pleased to add these contracts to our resource portfolio, because they move us closer to our goal of providing 20 percent of our customers' energy needs from renewable resources like solar and geothermal by 2010," said Terry Farrelly, vice president of electric and gas procurement for SDG&E.

"Bethel Energy is excited by the opportunity afforded by SDG&E to rebirth the solar thermal industry in California and to offer its customers clean renewable energy that is free from dependence on foreign oil," said Len Daniel, president and founder of Bethel Energy.

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