8minutenergy, SDG&E sign interconnection agreement for 200MW plant in US

8minutenergy Renewables has signed a generation interconnection agreement (GIA) with the California Independent Systems Operator (ISO) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for 200MW utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power generated from its solar project located in Imperial Valley, California.

The 200MW solar project to be located on 1,422 acres of farm land is expected to produce about 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity every year to power 72,000 households in SDG&E’s service territory.

The GIA will confirm the completion of ISO’s Phase I and Phase II interconnection study processes and posting of the needed credit letters by 8minutenergy’s solar project and also detail the investments made by 8minutenergy to upgrade SDG&E power network.

ISO California president and CEO Steve Berberich said, "By signing this agreement, we are another step closer to helping California achieve important green energy goals."

8minutenergy Renewables chief executive officer Martin Hermann said the agreement is critical for 8minutenergy, ISO and SDG&E to continue to develop clean, reliable, renewable energy for the people of California.

"Coming on the heels of the approval of our 600 MW solar project – the largest in the world, currently – this GIA furthers our comprehensive approach to select the most favorable regions for the transmission and interconnection of renewable energy projects," Hermann said.

The solar plant is expected to be constructed in early 2014 and will be connected to SDG&E’s Imperial Valley substation to transmit the power to utility’s currently under construction Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

The transmission link is planned to be completed in 2012.

The utility-scale solar power system consists of PV modules, power electronics, and other components including tracking system to maximise energy production.