The Corby project will strengthen grid reliability for 385,000 CleanPowerSF customers and State of California
Battery energy storage system photo courtesy of NextEra Energy Resources
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) community choice energy program, CleanPowerSF, has signed a 15-year battery storage contract with the Corby project, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The new facility is CleanPowerSF’s first standalone battery storage project located in Northern California.
“In California, we are experiencing weather whiplash -- rapid swings of extreme weather caused by climate change,” said SFPUC general manager Dennis Herrera. “Whether it be prolonged drought, unprecedented rain, or seasonal wildfires, we’re focused on ensuring that our services are reliable and available. That’s why the Corby project is critical. We’re adding more clean energy to the grid and battery projects like Corby will improve reliability for our customers and people across California as we face an evolving future.”
Expected to be operational in 2025, the Corby project will have a total capacity of 300 MW of battery storage located in Solano County. Specifically, the project will be able to store up to four hours of energy produced in the middle of the day when solar is abundant and electricity is at its cheapest and discharge that electricity when it may be in short supply and costlier to produce, such as in the early evening. This will help lessen the grid’s reliance on expensive fossil fuels and help reduce costs for CleanPowerSF ratepayers.
The Corby project will also provide benefits to the surrounding communities. The project will create up to 200 construction jobs and generate approximately $40 million in local tax revenue over the life of the project. In addition, through the SFPUC’s Social Impact Partnership Program, NextEra Energy Resources has also committed to investing in education and workforce development initiatives in Solano County and beyond.
“We are very pleased to work with CleanPowerSF to provide essential reliability when it is needed most while also enabling the deployment of additional renewables in California,” said Matt Handel, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources.
In addition to the Corby project, CleanPowerSF has also committed to sourcing energy from another NextEra Energy Resources subsidiary called Paulsell Solar Energy Center in Stanislaus County. The solar photovoltaic power facility, which broke ground in August 2022 and is expected to be operational in June 2024, will generate up to 20 MW of renewable solar energy and 15 MW of battery energy storage.
Involvement with projects like Corby and Paulsell Solar Energy Center represent the SFPUC’s latest investments in its cutting-edge clean energy program. To date, CleanPowerSF has contracted 467 MW of new wind and solar projects in California and signed four solar plus battery storage contracts. Learn more about CleanPowerSF’s projects at https://www.cleanpowersf.org/energysources.
About CleanPowerSF
CleanPowerSF launched in 2016 with a mission to provide San Francisco residents and businesses with clean, renewable electricity at competitive rates. In April 2021, Mayor Breed announced that CleanPowerSF will provide all customers 100% renewable electricity by 2025, five years ahead of the City's original goal of 2030 and 20 years ahead of the State's goal of 2045.
Along with CleanPowerSF, the SFPUC operates Hetch Hetchy Power, which provides 100% greenhouse gas-free energy to public facilities such as City Hall, schools and libraries, some private commercial developments, and affordable housing. Collectively, the two programs serve over 70% of the electricity consumed in San Francisco.
About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets over 70% of the electricity demand in San Francisco. Our mission is to provide our customers with high-quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. Learn more at sfpuc.org.