BIOMASS HUB

California’s Public Utility Commission (CPUC) on Thursday approved 335 megawatts of renewable power contracts that investor-owned utility PG&E signed with NextLight Renewable Power LLC and DTE Energy Co. (DTE).

While NextLight will supply energy from solar, DTE Energy plans to build a 45-megawatt biomass power plant at the site of an existing coal-fired power plant in Stockton, California.  Under the signed PPA, DTA will supply power from RPS-eligible biomass, such as wood waste.  PG&E expects to buy 315 gigawatt hours of energy a year from the facility, beginning in 2013.  The new biomass plant is expected to begin commercial operation by 2013, according to the CPUC.

An executive order from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger directs utilities to obtain 20% of their renewable energy from in-state biomass.

More on the CPUC approval for solar and biomass PPAs.