SDG&E: 1K megawatts of renewable energy delivered by Sunrise Powerlink

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – More than 1,000 megawatts of the energy delivered to San Diego Gas & Electric via the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line are generated by renewable energy, the utility reported Thursday.

The transmission line, which went into operation three years ago to import power from the Imperial Valley, receives electricity from seven solar and wind energy projects, according to SDG&E. Another three are set to come online in the near future.

“When SDG&E voluntarily committed that a third of the power we deliver to our customers would be renewable, the Sunrise Powerlink was the optimal path to get us where we needed to be,” said James Avery, senior vice president of power supply for the utility.

“Once it was clear this transmission project would be built, providing a second path to access the renewable-rich Imperial Valley, renewable developers realized their potential projects would be able to deliver energy to SDG&E customers,” he said.

More than 30 percent of all of its energy comes from renewable sources, up from almost 12 percent four years ago, according to the utility.

SDG&E was unable to quantify the portion of Sunrise Powerlink energy that’s renewable, compared to traditional sources, because of constant changes in sun and wind conditions. The transmission line is also used by the California Independent System Operator, which oversees the power grid in the state, to shift power around various areas as needed.

SDG&E considers the 1,000 megawatt renewables mark a major milestone. The state Public Utilities Commission has set a standard for 33 percent of the energy delivered by investor-owned utilities to come from renewable sources by 2020.