FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2024
SFPUC Contact:
Nancy Crowley
628-629-1748
ncrowley@sfwater.org
SFPUC Commits to New Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project in Northern California
The Paulsell Solar Energy Center in Stanislaus County will help ensure more reliable electricity for CleanPowerSF's 385,000 customers
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) community choice energy program, CleanPowerSF, is expanding its renewable energy portfolio, committing to a new 15-megawatt battery energy storage and 20-megawatt solar project in Stanislaus County. The renewable energy project will help ensure more clean, affordable, and reliable electricity for 385,000 CleanPowerSF customers in San Francisco.
The Paulsell Energy Center, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the sun and wind, and a leader in battery energy storage, will generate enough electricity annually to power approximately 17,000 average San Francisco homes. Additionally, the 15-megawatt 4-hour battery energy storage system will be able to hold the solar energy produced during the day for use at night, when power from the grid is more costly and reliant on natural gas. The facility has been under construction southeast of Modesto since August 2022 and will begin operating this summer.
“We're continuing to strengthen San Francisco's public power network through investments in cutting-edge clean energy projects like the Paulsell Energy Center," said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “The SFPUC has been a clean energy provider for 100 years, and we continue to expand our renewable energy portfolio to provide reliable, clean, and affordable electricity. Since launching CleanPowerSF in 2016, the SFPUC has also helped accelerate California's transition from fossil fuel power to more renewable energy, helping to green the electrical grid, create jobs, and grow the market for clean energy."
The SFPUC entered a 20-year contract with NextEra Energy Resources in 2020 for battery energy storage and solar supply with the Paulsell Energy Center, supporting the SFPUC’s long-term commitment to provide CleanPowerSF customers with 100% renewable and reliable electricity.
Including the Paulsell Energy Center, CleanPowerSF has secured contracts for a total of 490 megawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal projects. Additionally, CleanPowerSF battery energy storage contracts now total almost 290 megawatts. Batteries hold energy produced during the middle of the day when solar is abundant and release it onto the electrical grid when it is scarce and more expensive to generate, such as the early evening hours. These agreements provide customers with a more reliable source of clean electricity and help CleanPowerSF achieve its clean energy goals.
CleanPowerSF provides at least 90% clean and renewable energy at its entry-level service. CleanPowerSF already provides 100% renewable energy from newly constructed projects as part of its optional SuperGreen service.
The Paulsell Energy Center also provides benefits to the surrounding communities. Through the SFPUC’s Social Impact Partnership program, NextEra Energy Resources has committed to investing nearly $100,000 to educational and environmental justice nonprofit organizations in the Stanislaus community. In addition, the project created nearly 120 construction jobs for the local economy.
"The Paulsell Energy Center will generate homegrown energy and provide added versatility and resiliency to California’s grid," said Christine Seal, vice president of development at NextEra Energy Resources. "We are pleased to work with CleanPowerSF to bring online one of the state’s newest energy centers and positively impact Stanislaus County."
The SFPUC’s commitment to battery energy storage projects like Paulsell Energy Center has helped California reach a major milestone. The state surpassed 10,000 megawatts of battery energy storage capacity, up 1,250% since 2019. Ramping up battery energy storage is critical for California to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045.
About CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy Power
CleanPowerSF began serving customers in 2016 with a mission to provide San Francisco residents and businesses with clean, renewable electricity at competitive rates. Today, CleanPowerSF serves about 385,000 customer accounts in San Francisco and offers 60% and 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard eligible renewable electricity service options. Over the past eight years, CleanPowerSF has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use by 93% from 1990 levels.
Along with CleanPowerSF, the SFPUC operates Hetch Hetchy Power, which generates and delivers 100% greenhouse gas-free energy to more than 6,300 customer accounts, including municipal buildings and facilities, such as San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco International Airport, schools, libraries and the Muni transit system. Hetch Hetchy Power also provides electricity to some commercial and residential developments, including affordable housing sites.
In 2023, CleanPowerSF and and Hetch Hetchy Power collectively saved customers more than $170 million on electric bills. Together, the two programs meet over 70 percent of the electricity demand in San Francisco.
About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets over 70 percent of the electricity demand in San Francisco. Our mission is to provide our customers with high-quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. Learn more at sfpuc.org.