California Approves Power Purchase Contract With Sempra

SAN DIEGO — The California Public Utilities Commission approved a contract to purchase 150 megawatts of solar power from a Sempra Generation power facility in Arizona.

 

The commission unanimously approved the 20-year contract for power purchase from San Diego-based Sempra Generation’s Mesquite Solar 1 facility in Arizona.

 

With approval of the contract secured, the company plans to begin construction on the photovoltaic solar power plant in June, according to a company statement.

 

The project, which company officials expect will create about 300 construction jobs at its peak, will produce enough electricity to power approximately 56,000 average homes after completion in early 2013.

 

The Mesquite Solar 1 facility is the first phase in the company’s planned 700-megawatt Mesquite Solar complex, located 40 miles west of Phoenix.

 

Sempra Generation operates and maintains natural gas-fueled power plants and develops solar and wind facilities to serve U.S. markets.