Peninsula Clean Energy Reaches Deal With Emission-Free Provider

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Peninsula Clean Energy, the energy provider for San Mateo County, announced Tuesday it had reached a power purchase agreement with Arica Solar to provide emission-free solar and battery storage.

The agreement is the second such 15-year deal signed by the energy provider after a contract with Leeward Renewable Energy last September.

The deal with Arica Solar includes 100 megawatts of solar and 50 megawatts of four-hour lithium-ion battery storage, which allows solar power to be used even without sunlight. The project is expected to be operational in 2024, according to a news release.

“This project has the dual benefit of generating emission-free power and in a way that explicitly protects our sensitive wildlife and other habitats,” said Millbrae Mayor Ann Schneider, who is a member of Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors.

The project will be located in Riverside County, which officials said was chosen after consulting environmental activists to avoid harm to area species and habitat.

Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Jan Paper said the project helps the energy provider reach its goal of providing 24/7 renewable power.

“This project is another means to get there by producing and storing more emission-free solar power that can be used day or night, in the summer and winter,” Pepper said.