EDF-R Announces Commercial Operation of Maverick 1 and 4 Solar Projects

EDF-R has begun commercial operation of the Maverick 1 (173.4 MWdc) and Maverick 4 (135.9 MWdc) solar projects in California

EDF Renewables (EDF-R) North America has announced the completion and commercial operation of the Maverick 1 (173.4 MWdc) and Maverick 4 (135.9 MWdc) solar projects in California. Maverick 1 provides 125 MWac of electricity to Southern California Edison under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), while Maverick 4 supplies 100 MWac energy and renewable attributes to Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. under a 15-year PPA.

The two projects, part of the Palen Solar project, are located adjacent to each other on unincorporated land in Riverside County, California, administered by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM designated this area as a Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) and Development Focus Area, land set aside for utility-scale renewable energy development. Both projects consist of horizontal single-axis tracking solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.

“EDF Renewables is pleased to partner with Southern California Edison and Shell to help California meet its clean energy and low-carbon goals through the Maverick Solar Projects,” said Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President, Grid-Scale Power at EDF Renewables. “The backing of local, state and federal government is critically important to renewable development and we thank all those who supported this project through its development.”

In addition to economic benefits for Riverside County, the projects combined generate enough clean energy to meet the consumption of up to 110,000 average California homes. This is equivalent to avoiding more than 498,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from 107,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year.

EDF Renewables’ Asset Optimisation group will perform operations and maintenance services for the life of the Project. The group will provide NERC compliance support, remote monitoring, and balance-of-plant management to maximise power production.

In December 2020, the firm had announced that its 150 MW Merricourt Wind Project achieved commercial operation and has been turned over to Otter Tail Power Company.

Earlier, EDF International Networks, a subsidiary of the EDF Group, and Capgemini had signed a partnership agreement to combine their expertise and together confirm their position as major players for emerging smart grid projects worldwide.