Tour Shows Progress on Imperial Solar Energy Center South
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 26 April 2012 15:44
- Written by Green Liver
El Centro, California - Elected officials and private citizens who have helped bring the Imperial Solar Energy Center South to the construction phase were given a tour of the site Thursday morning, April 26.
Among approximately 35 guests were Imperial County supervisors, executives and planners; Imperial Irrigation District officials and staff; federal and state agency personnel; and site neighbors.
Imperial Solar Energy Center South is a 130-megawatt (MW) utility-scale, ground-mounted photovoltaic solar power generating plant that will convert sunlight directly into electricity, producing enough clean energy to power approximately 44,000 homes. The power output has been sold to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) under a 25-year power-purchase agreement. It is one of the first large solar projects to be underway in Imperial County. Completion is scheduled for early 2014.
Bob Ramaekers, vice president of development for the project developer, Tenaska Solar Ventures, was the host for the tour and presented an overview to visitors.
“Our 946-acre solar power plant is under construction, and we wanted to create an opportunity for the many people who were part of this project in the planning stages to see our progress since work began last December,” Ramaekers said. “We are pleased with the progress made and look forward to a new phase of construction around the fourth quarter of the year, when as many as 250 to 300 construction jobs will be filled, with a goal of using mostly local workers.”
The utility-scale solar power plant will: contribute to Imperial County’s economic growth and reputation as the renewable energy capital of the nation; diversify California’s energy portfolio; provide much-needed, environmentally responsible power during periods of highest electricity demand; generate “green jobs;” help California electricity providers meet benchmarks outlined in the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard; and help meet the United States’ increasing demand for clean, renewable electrical power, Ramaekers said.
Construction employment for the South project is expected to ramp up this fall. Every effort is being made to hire qualified local workers. People interested in work at the site should contact the Workforce Development El Centro East One Stop Center at 2695 S. 4th Street Building D, El Centro, CA 92243, (760) 337-5000 or fax (760) 336-4001. Business executive Thomas Topuzes is the company’s local community representative. He will ensure Imperial County residents are able to ask questions about the project and provide comment. Topuzes can be reached by phone at his local office (760) 353-9321, by mobile (760) 802-4737 and by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .