8minutenergy Renewables and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) have started construction on the 137MW Springbok 1 Solar Farm, which will be developed 112 kilometres north of Los Angeles in Kern County, California.
The plant has already signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Southern California Public Power Authority on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
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Developed on 283 hectares of farmland, the project's development began back in 2011. Swinerton Builders will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, while partners of 8minutenergy and DESRI will lead construction management.
The project is expected to be completed by June 2016, and is projected to help displace 300,000 metric tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables, said: “We enjoyed working with SCPPA/LADWP and Kern County Planning and Development Department. We are particularly pleased that this project received unanimous votes and the full support of all approving agencies as well as the local community and environmental groups. The Springbok 1 Solar Farm will create an estimated 300 direct and 400 indirect jobs during construction in Kern County.”
