California Energy Commission - 13 Jul 09

Prof. Robert B. Laughlin
Department of Physics
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305

http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/sjsolar
(Copied 9 Dec 09)


San Joaquin Solar 1 & 2 Power Plant Licensing Case

Docket Number: 08-AFC-12
(Application For Certification)
Committee Overseeing This Case:
Julia Levin, Commissioner
Presiding Member
James Boyd, Chairman
Associate Member
Hearing Officer: Raoul Renaud

Key Dates


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

San Joaquin Solar 1 LLC and San Joaquin Solar 2 LLC, collectively referred to as San Joaquin Solar 1&2 LLC, filed an Application for Certification with the California Energy Commission on November 26, 2008, for the proposed San Joaquin Solar 1&2 hybrid power plant project (depicted in the artist drawing to the right).

The project consists of two hybrid design solar thermal electric generating plants, comprising a solar field and biomass facility for each plant and will produce up to a nominal 106.8 megawatts (MW) net of renewable energy. The two plants will be owned and operated by San Joaquin Solar 1 LLC and San Joaquin Solar 2 LLC, a subsidiary of Portugal-based Martifer Renewables Electricity LLC. The electricity generated by the project will meet the requirements of renewable energy power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

Each plant will be sized for a nominal 53.4 MW net of solar generation, complemented by 40 MW net of biomass-generated production. The biomass energy production will be subordinate to production from the solar field, supplementing solar production during non-solar periods and shoulder solar hours. Thus, the maximum net generating capacity of the Plants will be 53.4 MW each. If approved by the Commission, the project is expected to be on line by the first quarter of 2011.

The project site is in Fresno County in the southern San Joaquin Valley, 6 miles east of the City of Coalinga. The proposed site is approximately 3 miles west of the intersection of Interstate 5 and West Jayne Avenue. Roadway access to the site will be from West Jayne Avenue, which runs adjacent and parallel to the northern border of the entire site.


Energy Commission Facility Certification Process

The California Energy Commission is the lead agency (for licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts and larger) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has a certified regulatory program under CEQA. Under its certified program, the Energy Commission is exempt from having to prepare an environmental impact report. Its certified program, however, does require environmental analysis of the project, including an analysis of alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize any significant adverse effect the project may have on the environment.


For Questions About This Siting Case Contact:

Joseph Douglas
Project Manager
Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection Division
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-15
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 653-4677
E-mail: JDouglas@energy.state.ca.us


For Questions About Participation In Siting Cases Contact:

Public Adviser
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: PublicAdviser@energy.state.ca.us


News Media Please Contact:

Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us

Last Modified: 13 Jul 09