"The clean power generator generated as a result of these contracts will contribute significantly to California's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy goals."

-- Stuart Hemphill, SCE, director of renewable and alternative power

Southern California Edison (SCE) has signed six new renewable energy contracts that could provide the utility's customers with up to 480 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon generation -- enough power to serve 314,000 average homes.

The agreements, subject to approval by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), include two valuable "baseload" geothermal contracts with Ormat and Caithness. Baseload projects produce power around the clock and therefore contribute significant amounts of energy.

Two new wind contracts tap wind resources in Apple Valley and a promising new source of wind energy in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico, the latter with new California renewable provider Sempra Generation.

Additionally, SCE has signed a baseload biomass contract based on a new power contracting option the utility introduced in May 2007 to help smaller biomass generators. Finally, solar energy was added to the portfolio through a photovoltaic proposal.

"We applaud our suppliers' commitment to renewable energy," said Stuart Hemphill, SCE's director of renewable and alternative power. "The clean power generated as a result of these contracts will contribute significantly to California's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy goals."

The new contracts result from SCE's 2006 competitive renewable energy solicitation.

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