130,000 acres of land in the Central Valley to be used for California’s clean energy future
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2024
Press Contact:
Jenna Tenney | Manager of Communications and Community Engagement
(925) 378-6747 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — Golden State Clean Energy (GSCE) and MCE have agreed to work together toward California’s clean energy future, building much needed solar plus battery storage resources in Fresno County.
The master-planned development program known as the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan aims to repurpose up to 130,000 acres of drainage-impaired or water-challenged lands within Westlands Water District in Fresno County to develop transmission infrastructure, solar generation, and storage. At full buildout the plan will include up to 20,000 megawatts of solar and 20,000 megawatts of energy storage, potentially providing up to one-sixth of California’s electricity requirements in 2035.
MCE has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSCE for up to 400 megawatts each of solar and battery storage.
“This agreement with Golden State Clean Energy allows MCE to be deeply involved in the planning process for these resources,” said Vicken Kasarjian, MCE COO. “The project could provide MCE with a valuable solar and storage project and is a unique opportunity to build something really tailored to the needs of our customers and California as a whole.”
MCE anticipates the project could provide MCE with:
- 200 – 400 megawatts of solar
- 200 – 400 megawatts of 4- or 8-hour battery storage
- 100% renewable energy and the associated resource adequacy
This project will help MCE meet existing mid-term and long-term procurement needs with a goal of being commercially operable between 2028 – 2030. The MOU allows MCE to consider the option to build the project directly or to purchase the resources through a Power Purchase Agreement. MCE’s potential portion of the project will generate enough electricity to power over 160,000 homes each year.
“We are thrilled that MCE will be the first customer in the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan,” said Patrick Mealoy, COO at Golden State Clean Energy. “The plan is expected to benefit the communities in the valley by creating jobs, preserving family farms, while significantly bringing California closer to achieving its clean energy goals.”
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About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 585,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 60-100% renewable, fossil-free power at stable rates, serving a 1400 MW peak load, significantly reducing greenhouse emissions, and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit mceCleanEnergy.org, or follow us on your preferred social platform @mceCleanEnergy.
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