The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) collaborated with TotalEnergies SE to unveil the 4.6-megawatt Orinda solar farm in Contra Costa County, California, marking a significant step towards renewable energy adoption in the region.
Situated below Briones Reservoir in Orinda, the 12-acre solar farm is poised to generate approximately 10 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, a move that will enable EBMUD to offset a noteworthy 10% of its current energy expenditures.
TotalEnergies spearheaded the design and construction of the Orinda project, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, the company assumes ownership and operational responsibilities for the solar farm.
Under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), EBMUD secures its electricity supply from the newly inaugurated facility. This strategic partnership is expected to yield substantial financial benefits, as EBMUD estimates savings totaling USD 26 million (EUR 24 million) over the duration of the contract, thanks to the fixed pricing mechanism established within the agreement.
