Port of Oakland OKs $8.9 million Over 20 Years for Solar Power

Its electric utility will resell renewable energy to tenants at airport and seaport

Port of Oakland Commissioners last night approved an $8.9 million deal to purchase solar power for the next 20 years. The Port said its municipal utility will resell the electricity to tenants including those at Oakland International Airport and the seaport.

Under the agreement, the Port will buy approximately 11,000-megawatt hours of electricity annually from a planned expansion of a solar farm located in Lancaster, CA. The Port said that’s about 35 percent of the renewable energy it needs by 2030 to meet California renewable portfolio standards requirements under Senate Bill 350.

The Port of Oakland operates its own electrical utility. The utility purchases electricity and resells it to Airport and seaport tenants.

The Port said it will pay $39 per megawatt hour for the solar-generated electricity. According to the Port, the solar farm expansion should go online in December 2020.