Jacksonville, Fla.-based utility JEA has signed five solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) with EDF Renewables North America.
The PPAs are for the 250 MW AC Jacksonville 5 Solar Project, consisting of five 50 MW AC distributed generation projects to be constructed across the City of Jacksonville. The project was awarded to EDF in 2018 after a competitive procurement process conducted by JEA.
“These new projects benefit the community by giving us price security for clean energy through a long-term PPA with EDF Renewables,” says Steve McInall, JEA’s vice president of energy and water planning. “They also will support JEA’s SolarMax program, which will allow large commercial and industrial users (over 7 million kWh per year) to obtain their electricity from large solar facilities. This will help to retain and attract green businesses to Jacksonville.”
According to Aaron Zahn, JEA’s managing director and CEO, solar will make up roughly 5% of JEA’s total energy production once the projects are completed.
“This program represents tremendous environmental value for our community,” he says.
The expected electricity generated at the projects’ full capacity is enough to meet the consumption of more than 48,500 average Florida homes.
