EDF Power Solutions North America announced the signing of a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) to support the development of the Utah Solar 1 project, a photovoltaic facility that will supply renewable electricity to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
The agreement covers the production of a solar park with a capacity of 400 MW direct current and 300 MW alternating current. The facility will be located in Millard County, Utah, on land managed by the Utah Trust Lands Administration (TLA).
A new contribution to California’s energy transition
With its planned start of operations in mid-2027, Utah Solar 1 will strengthen the renewable generation portfolio intended to supply one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.
The initiative is part of LADWP’s efforts to advance its decarbonization goals and increase the share of carbon-free energy sources in its energy mix. The energy supplied by the project will help improve the reliability of the electrical grid while providing larger volumes of clean energy to Los Angeles consumers.
According to EDF Power Solutions, the collaboration expands a working relationship that has been maintained for more than a decade between the company and the SCPPA on projects related to renewable energy.
Economic Impact for the Utah Solar 1 Project
In addition to strengthening the regional energy infrastructure, the project will generate significant economic benefits during its construction and operation.
At the peak of construction activity, approximately 400 workers are expected to be hired. Furthermore, estimates indicate that the project could generate over $140 million in local tax revenue over the life of the contract.
Furthermore, the Utah Trust Lands Administration would receive approximately $27 million in lease income associated with the use of the state lands where the photovoltaic installation will be developed.
Clean energy for thousands of homes
Projections indicate that Utah Solar 1 will produce around 766,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year.
That generation would be enough to supply approximately 126,800 average-consumption Californian homes for a full year, making the project one of the most important solar developments within the energy strategy of the western United States.
The initiative will also complement other clean energy programs promoted by LADWP, including projects aimed at incorporating new low-emission technologies to support future electricity demand.
EDF strengthens its presence in renewable energy
EDF Power Solutions North America continues to expand its presence in the North American energy market through the development of wind, solar, and storage projects.
The company has over 35 years of experience in the sector and has participated in the development of approximately 26 gigawatts of renewable capacity. With agreements like Utah Solar 1, the company seeks to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions and support the emissions reduction commitments made by utilities and government agencies in the United States.
Source: Edf-re
Photo: Shutterstock
