Oakley Generating Station licensed and under construction
On May 18, 2011, Radback Energy, Inc. received its license from the California Energy Commission for the Oakley Generating Station. The license was issued by a unanimous vote of the CEC Commissioners. On May 26, 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously denied interveners’ requests for rehearing allowing the project to move forward and begin construction. Construction commenced in early June and is proceeding on schedule.
Radback Energy is an energy developer based in Northern California and focused on environmentally responsible development for utility, municipal, and private customers. Radback Energy’s senior management team has successfully permitted 21 projects throughout California, totaling over 7000 megawatts.
The proposed project will use two state-of-the-art General Electric frame 7FA gas turbines that are specifically designed to maximize both efficiency and operational flexibility. This flexibility will allow utilities to reliably meet their renewable energy goals by providing clean, efficient power from natural gas, especially when renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are temporarily off the grid (that is, at night or on days when there is no wind). The project is also designed to employ an air-cooled condenser that will significantly reduce water use during operations.
The project has signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Under the agreement, PG&E will purchase the plant in early 2016 and will operate and maintain the plant for its useful life.
The power generation facility will be constructed under a binding project labor agreement. Construction of the Oakley Generating Station will create over 730 local union jobs, over a 33-month construction period. After startup, the plant should have a full-time staff of approximately 22 people.
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Workers complete the forming and rebar for the power generating station’s fire pump foundation, which is scheduled for pouring on June 21, 2011. Managing the construction is Oakley Power Constructors, a joint venture of Black and Veatch and Iberdrola, two world-class engineering and construction firms. Major local (Contra Costa County) subcontractors include Performance Mechanical, Contra Costa Electric, and Granite Construction.
