Tenaska enters solar market with commercial financing for its Imperial Solar project in southern CA

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Tenaska is breaking its way into the solar power generation market with an announcement that it has closed commercial financing for its Imperial Solar Energy Center South in southern California. The utility-scale PV plant is the first of what the company expects to be several solar generating facilities it will develop in California and other US states. Located in Imperial County, the 946-acre solar project was developed by Tenaska Solar Ventures, with the company advising that a second solar project is under development nearby.

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishis UFJ and Union Bank led nine banks in providing debt financing. Other banking institutions participating in the funding include BBVA Compass, DZ Bank, Helaba, Key Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and Santander’s Sovereign Bank. Imperial Solar Energy Center South is anticipated to reach commercial operation in 2014 and become one of the first solar projects to deliver power through the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

“We are proud to have teamed with an outstanding group of lenders whose professionalism and commitment to the deal were especially important in today's challenging financing environment,” said David Kirkwood, Tenaska vice president and treasurer. “This financing also recognizes Tenaska's consistent approach to rational projects, underpinned by strong contracts and appropriately structured debt.”

First Solar is providing the technology, engineering, procurement and construction for the project, using its thin-film PV modules. On-site construction for the project began in December with Tenaska noting that around 130MW of electricity has already been sold to San Diego Gas & Electric under a 25-year agreement.

Read Next

Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
The European solar module market has reached a “state of equilibrium” in recent weeks, with stable prices and regular demand.
October 10, 2025
US solar recycling firm OnePlanet has achieved the R2v3 certification from electronics sustainability non-profit SERI, which represents the “highest standards of traceability”.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.
October 10, 2025
Australia's renewable energy sector recorded its slowest month of the year for additions in September, with 5.8GW of new projects added to development pipelines, according to data from Rystad Energy.
October 9, 2025
The Australian government has announced the results of the fourth Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender, with 6.6GW of renewables awarded long-term contracts.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK