Avangrid, Inc., one of the leading energy companies and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced that it has begun to export power onto the California grid from its Camino solar project. This marks a major milestone for Avangrid’s 44 MWac (57 MWdc) project located in Kern County ahead of commercial operations expected later this spring. Camino will deliver reliable energy onto the California grid for homes, businesses, and industry, and contribute important economic benefits to the community and region.
“First energy is always cause for celebration, and is a direct result of years of hard work developing and building a new project,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Camino will help meet a growing demand for power and support the region’s energy independence, while creating jobs and delivering key economic benefits.”
Avangrid installed about 105,000 solar panels at the project late last year, which will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of about 14,000 U.S. homes a year. The project represents a direct investment in Kern County of about USD 100 million. Construction has supported about 100 jobs, nearly all filled locally and with union labor.
“IBEW Local 428 members worked on the Camino solar project with Avangrid and its contractors,” said Brian Holt, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 428. “When companies like Avangrid use union labor for their infrastructure projects, they make a significant impact on our community, providing living wages that support families, along with healthcare and retirement benefits. They also offer our area’s youth valuable training opportunities, enabling them to learn our trade and become the next generation of skilled craftsmen.”
“LiUNA! Local 220 members had the opportunity to work with our signatory partners to build the project on time and under budget,” said Hertz Ramirez, Business Manager for Local 220. “Local area Apprentices and Journeymen who live within Kern County had the opportunity to earn a living wage along with great benefits such as vacation, health insurance, annuity, and a Pension. We look forward to working with the contractors and thank Avangrid for the opportunity to showcase our trained and skilled workforce.”
Once construction is completed, it will support several full-time, local jobs. Additionally, the project is expected to generate about USD 15 million in state and local taxes during its lifetime.
While Avangrid has begun to produce and export power onto the grid at Camino, work continues on other aspects of the project ahead of commercial operation.
Camino is being constructed next to Avangrid’s 189 MW Manzana project, which was built in 2012. When construction is completed, Camino will become the tenth solar project in Avangrid’s portfolio. Avangrid has six other projects in California, ranging from San Diego County to the Bay Area, with a combined operating capacity of over 500 MW. These facilities have generated a combined USD 95 million in property taxes as of the end of last year, supporting a variety of local public services. The Company has nearly 10.5 GW of installed capacity in its fleet of projects spread across nearly half the United States.
