Direct Energy and Intersect Power sign a long-term PPA on 250 MW solar project in California

California and Texas — Intersect Power and Direct Energy Business have entered into a long-term solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for Intersect Power’s Athos Solar I 250 megawatt (MWAC) project. This agreement enables Direct Energy to contract with Direct Access (DA) customers and Community Choice Aggregations (CCAs) as they decarbonize their electricity supplies.

Once completed, the combined 450 MWAC Athos Solar I and II project will be one of the largest solar installations in California.

Located on more than 3,200 acres of land in the Desert Center area in Riverside County, the project will support over 500 jobs during construction in the county and generate enough clean electricity to power 136,500 homes and result in some 1 million tons of avoided CO2 emissions per year.

“The team at Intersect Power is pleased to work with Direct Energy to deliver new in-state renewable energy generation options for California homes and businesses,” said Sheldon Kimber, CEO and co-founder of Intersect Power. “Together, we are creating a long-term agreement to benefit Southern Californian communities and help households reduce their environmental impact.”

“This transaction demonstrates Direct Energy’s unique ability to create long-term renewable energy solutions that combine the strengths of customers, project developers, and energy service providers alike,” said David Brast, Senior Vice President, North America Power and Gas, Direct Energy Business. “Athos Solar I is an exciting project to be a part of. Intersect has developed several excellent projects and we are proud to collaborate with them. Direct Energy is looking forward to the project helping enable our customers to move to a lower-carbon future.”

The Athos I project is scheduled to begin construction in June 2020 and Athos II in October 2020.