Independent power wholesaler Calpine, has been awarded permits from air quality regulators to build two geothermal power plants at the Geysers in Sonoma County, California. The project will generate almost 100megawatts of electricity and cost USD$700million. If Calpine can negotiate contracts to sell the renewable energy, production at the first plant could start in 2014. Calpine currently sells electricity from the Geysers to utility companies such as PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison.
The company won approval for the two plants last month from the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District. The plants, known as Wildhorse and Buckeye are located in the geothermal area about 12miles northeast of Healdsburg.
Dependent on securing long-term purchase agreements for the power and following being granted some administrative permits, construction on the plants will take about 30 months. Calpine currently operates 15 geothermal power plants at the Geysers which produces as much as 725megawatts.