The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners has greenlit a US$19.3 million deal to secure solar power for the next two decades.
“The Port continues to build its long-term renewable energy portfolio demonstrating our commitment to sustainability, which benefits our customers, community, and environment. Energy pricing can be unpredictable, so entering into a long-term agreement guarantees a fixed price for our energy costs,” stated Kristi McKenney, Chief Operating Officer at Port of Oakland.
As a publicly owned utility, the Port of Oakland plans to resell this renewable energy to its tenants, including those at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Seaport.
The agreement involves purchasing around eight megawatts (MW) of solar power annually from the Grace Orchard Energy Center, LLC in Riverside County, California. To put it in perspective, 8 MW can power approximately 6,400 homes each year.
In addition to solar, the Californian port’s renewable energy portfolio includes small hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and biowaste sources. The Grace Solar Facility is set to start operations in summer 2027, with the Port’s purchase agreement commencing in December 2027.
