Regulators Approve Long-Term Contract for Sempra Generation Solar Power Plant

The California Public Utilities Commission today approved Pacific Gas and Electric Company's 25-year contract to purchase 150 megawatts) of renewable power from Sempra Generation's Copper Mountain Solar 2 project in Boulder City, Nev.

With state regulatory approval of the contract secured, Sempra Generation announced that construction on the 1,100-acre solar plant will begin this year. The first 92 MW of solar panels at Copper Mountain Solar 2 are expected to be installed by year-end 2012, with the remaining 58 MW slated for completion by 2015. Under the terms of the contract, PG&E has the option to accelerate the commercial operation date of the second phase.

"Copper Mountain Solar 2 represents another big step forward for Sempra Generation as we continue growing our portfolio of contracted renewable energy assets throughout the U.S.," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. "There is a lot of excitement about starting construction on this major solar project, we and look forward to delivering another important source of clean energy to California consumers."

Copper Mountain Solar 2 will produce enough zero-emission electricity to power about 45,000 homes when fully developed.