Southern California Edison: Leading the Way in Clean, Green Energy
Southern California Edison (SCE) continually seeks out and taps into new sources of alternative and renewable energy (energy from sources that can’t be depleted such as wind, solar, water among others) . The utility is helping meet the state’s renewable energy goals to deliver more clean and green energy to its customers today and in the future.
California currently has a goal of delivering 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and is considering legislation to increase the goal to 33 percent by 2020. SCE is the nation’s leading purchaser of renewable energy and in 2008, delivered 12.6 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy to consumers – 16 percent of its total power deliveries under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard guidelines. SCE also purchased approximately 65 percent of all U.S. solar generation for its customers.
Each year, SCE solicits offers of new competitively priced renewable energy for its customers. Since 2002, SCE has entered into 47 contracts that will generate up to 27 billion kilowatt-hours per year of renewable energy. Purchases of renewable energy can deliver nearly 2,800 megawatts of electricity, including:
- 1,137 megawatts from wind;
- 955 megawatts from geothermal;
- 356 megawatts from solar;
- 176 megawatts from biomass; and
- 200 megawatts from small hydro
In February 2009, SCE negotiated one of the world’s largest solar deals for seven “power tower” projects that will provide up to 1,300 megawatts of solar thermal energy. Also in June 2009, SCE gained regulatory approval for the nation’s largest solar panel project that will result in 500 megawatts of advanced photovoltaic generation to be installed on otherwise unused roofs of Southern California commercial buildings.
Another significant agreement is the largest wind energy contract ever negotiated by a U.S. utility, securing 1,500 megawatts or more of power for SCE customers.
In order to deliver renewable energy to customers while maintaining the reliability of the electricity system, SCE is building the nation’s largest transmission project devoted primarily to renewable energy. The Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project will provide access to up to 4,500 megawatts of electricity when completed.
To learn more about SCE’s commitment to renewables, please visit www.sce.com/renewables
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