Sempra to supply 210 MW of solar to US Navy, Marine Corps

A unit of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) has signed a deal for the supply of 210 MW of solar power, in direct current (DC), to 14 Navy and Marine Corps installations in the US.

The US Department of the Navy (DON) announced the agreement with Sempra US Gas & Power LLC in a statement on Thursday, saying it represents the largest purchase of renewable energy ever made by a federal entity.

Sempra will supply the electricity from the Mesquite Solar 3 plant that will be built to the west of Phoenix, Arizona. The company expects to start construction of the solar park this month and to have it up and running by the end of next year.

With over 650,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels to be installed on ground-mounted, horizontal single-axis trackers, the particular installation will be part of a larger complex with a total capacity of up to 700 MW.

The purchase of solar power will help diversify the DON’s shore energy portfolio, while saving at least USD 90 million (EUR 80m) over the life of the project. The deal will also help the 14 installations comply with California's Renewable Portfolio Standard.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.889)

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