Nov 15 2010
Sempra Energy’s subsidiary company, Sempra Generation, declared that it has entered into a partnership with BP Wind Energy, on an equal basis, for developing a Colorado Wind Farm, the Cedar Creek II Wind Farm. It is being constructed near New Raymer, which is located 90 miles to the northeast of Fort Collins.
This project would generate 250 MW of electricity, which would power almost 75,000 average households and is likely to be operational by June 2011. The total power outlay has been sold to Xcel Energy Company, a Colorado Public Service Company, via a 25-year power purchase agreement.
According to the CEO and President of Sempra Generation, Jeffrey W. Martin, Cedar Creek II was a premeditated value addition to the company’s expanding portfolio in the Western U.S. He felt that the project was a step ahead in its efforts for sustainable energy expansion. They were eagerly waiting to supply clean electricity to the people of Colorado. Job opportunities would be available for around 350 workers during construction with 12 full time positions for the facility’s smooth operation. This is the second joint venture between Sempra and BP, the first partnership being the development of a 200 MW Indiana Fowler Ridge II Wind Farm.
Plans are also on for the construction of the 48 MW Copper Mountain Solar Project near Las Vegas, which is the leading Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power unit in the U.S. This project is contiguous to the 10 MW El Dorado Solar Plant, owned by Sempra Generation. The collective 58 MW would employ around 1 million thin-film PV solar panels for electricity generation, to be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, under a different 20 year power purchase contract. Sempra also manages and sustains a series of power plants that are fueled by natural gas. Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy firm with an $8 billion revenue in 2009, and total employee strength of 13,600, serving more than 25 million clients globally.