EDF Renewables to Supply 117 MWac of Solar Energy to California Utility

Renewable energy giant EDF Renewables North America has announced a 20-year PPA with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for the energy and renewable attributes related to the 117 MWac/148 MWdc Sapphire Solar project.

EDF Renewables said that Sapphire Solar is guaranteed to begin delivery of carbon-free electricity to SCPPA’s Participating Members – Anaheim, Pasadena and Vernon – by December 31, 2026.

In addition to the solar production, SCPPA reserves the option to a 59 MWac x 4-hour battery energy storage system, mentioned the official statement of EDF Renewables.

The solar power project, located in Riverside County on private land, expects to create about 250 jobs during the construction phase with more than $253 million generated in new tax revenue over the operating life for taxing entities. EDF Renewables will produce clean energy while minimizing impacts to wildlife, habitat, and other environmental resources.

Sohinaz Sotoudeh, Vice President – West Origination and Power Marketing for EDF Renewables, said that the company will bring more renewable energy online in support of their decarbonization commitment for member communities in California.

“Sapphire Solar will supply 117 MWac of solar capacity and a 59MWac/236 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to our growing renewable and energy storage resource mix,” commented Michael Webster, Executive Director of SCPPA. “This project will help our Participating SCPPA Members meet and exceed renewable energy and resource adequacy requirements, while at the same time minimizing costs and maintaining reliability.”

EDF Renewable maintains that the solar project is expected to generate 375,800 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to meet the consumption of over 58,000 average California households. This is equivalent to avoiding over 266,000 metric tons of carbon (CO₂) emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from over 57,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year2.

EDF Renewables has in its portfolio 16 gigawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects that have been developed. The firm also provides integrated energy solutions from grid-scale power to electric vehicle charging.