September 6, 2005

Utility leads nation in procurement of energy from renewable sources

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Sept. 6, 2005—Enhancing its position as the nation’s leading procurer of renewable power, Southern California Edison (SCE) today announced it will seek approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for a new long-term contract with wind power developer PPM Energy Inc.

If approved by the CPUC, the contract would add as much as 75 megawatts (MW) to SCE’s renewable power portfolio.  A megawatt, or one million watts, is enough electricity to power approximately 650 homes.  The project is scheduled to commence initial operations in 2007. 

“We’re extremely proud of our renewable energy leadership,” said SCE CEO Alan Fohrer. “SCE’s renewable power percentage is more than seven times the national average and we will continue to look for cost-effective opportunities to help the state achieve its renewable energy goals.” 

Seller

Location

Type

Length

Initial MW

Potential MW

PPM Energy Inc. San Gorgonio Wind 20yrs 22.0 75.0

More than 150 independent renewable power producers are under contract to SCE.  They can generate more than 2,500 MW of electricity—approximately 18.2% of the power SCE delivered to customers during 2004.  California’s renewable portfolio standard requires that investor-owned utilities obtain 20% of their power from renewable sources by 2010.

Related Facts

  • SCE’s current renewable portfolio can deliver 2,588 MW of electricity, including
    - 1,021 MW from wind
    - 892 MW from geothermal
    - 354 MW from solar
    - 226 MW from biomass
    - 95 MW from small hydro. 
  • SCE procured more than 13,000 gigawatt-hours* of renewable energy in 2004, more than any U.S. utility and enough to power almost two million homes for an entire year.
  • In 2004, more than 18% of the power SCE delivered to the 13 million Californians it serves came from renewable energy sources. 
  • SCE soon will launch its ninth request in the past three years—and the third exclusively from renewable energy providers—for offers from independent power producers.  These open, competitive solicitations have resulted in new renewable contracts for an estimated 1,380 MW of energy expected to be online during the next few years.

*A gigawatt equals one billion watts.

# # #

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.6 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.