Purchase will support Port of Oakland clean energy portfolio for the next 20 years
Oakland (Special to ZennieReport.com) – The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved a $19.3 million deal to buy solar power for the next 20 years. The Port of Oakland is a publicly owned utility and will resell the renewable power to tenants including those at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Seaport.
“The Port continues to build its long-term renewable energy portfolio demonstrating our commitment to sustainability, which benefits our customers, community, and environment,” said Port Chief Operating Officer Kristi McKenney. “Energy pricing can be unpredictable, so entering into a long-term agreement guarantees a fixed price for our energy costs.”
The Port has a goal of zero-emissions operations at its seaport and airport. Renewable energy agreements, like this one, help the Port move closer to achieving that goal.
Under the agreement, the Port will buy approximately eight (8) megawatts (MW) of renewable solar energy annually from Grace Orchard Energy Center, LLC (Grace Solar Facility), located in Riverside County, California. As a comparison, 8 MW of power would supply electricity for roughly 6,400 homes a year.
Solar is one of the main renewable energy sources the Port uses, along with power from small hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and biowaste. The Grace Solar Facility is slated to come online in the summer of 2027 and the Port purchase agreement begins December 2027.
What Is The Port of Oakland ?
The Port generates vital economic activity, community benefits and environmental innovation, as the Port decarbonizes its operations for a cleaner and greener future. Along with its partners, the Port supports 98,345 jobs in the region and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, the Oakland Seaport and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square, and a publicly owned utility. The Port is Everyone’s Port! Connect with the Port of Oakland and San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport through Facebook and Twitter, or with the Port on LinkedIn, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.