San Francisco’s CleanPowerSF Signs Historic Deal for Largest Wind Energy Supply

Thursday, October 24, 2024

CleanPowerSF, the community choice energy program of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), has secured its largest single source of wind energy through a landmark power purchase agreement with Scout Clean Energy. This agreement will provide CleanPowerSF with 147.5 megawatts of wind energy generated by the new Gonzaga Ridge wind project in Merced County, along with 50 megawatts of energy storage. The wind energy and storage capacity will serve 385,000 customers in San Francisco.

Gonzaga Ridge, developed by Colorado-based Scout Clean Energy, will become the largest wind energy contributor to CleanPowerSF’s portfolio, generating enough power annually to support approximately 120,000 San Francisco homes. The project also includes a 50-megawatt, 4-hour battery storage system to store excess energy generated during the day for evening use, when grid electricity is typically more expensive and reliant on natural gas. Gonzaga Ridge is expected to be operational by May 2026.

“Thanks to our investment in Gonzaga Ridge, we will be nearly doubling the amount of clean wind energy for our CleanPowerSF customers,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “The SFPUC has been a clean energy provider for 100 years, and we are continuing to expand our renewable energy portfolio to supply San Francisco with clean, affordable, and reliable power. We’re helping to make the grid more resilient in the face of climate change, accelerate California’s transition from fossil fuel power to more renewable energy, and create good jobs.”

This project will redevelop an existing wind farm in Pacheco Park, contributing to significant environmental benefits. It is projected to offset around 593,000 tons of carbon dioxide and create 200 jobs during development and construction. Additionally, 378 tons of decommissioned turbine blades will be recycled, avoiding landfill waste and producing 360,000 pounds of concrete additives.

“We’re proud to help fulfill the impressive ambition of the SFPUC as they continue to establish the CleanPowerSF program as a model of successfully delivering clean energy to their community,” said Michael Rucker, Founder and CEO of Scout Clean Energy, a portfolio company managed by Brookfield Asset Management. “Gonzaga Ridge is a wonderfully unique project, and we’re excited to see it become an energy option for San Francisco residents.”

With the addition of Gonzaga Ridge, CleanPowerSF has now contracted over 600 megawatts of new renewable energy from solar, wind, and geothermal projects. This supply is enough to power more than 500,000 homes across San Francisco. CleanPowerSF’s energy storage contracts have also surpassed 300 megawatts.

As of 2024, CleanPowerSF’s energy mix is over 95% clean and renewable, helping San Francisco reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use by 93% compared to 1990 levels over the past eight years.