## San Francisco Secures Largest Wind Energy Deal, Powering Up CleanPowerSF with Gonzaga Ridge Project
San Francisco is taking a major leap forward in its commitment to clean energy. CleanPowerSF, the city’s community choice energy program run by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), has secured its largest single source of wind energy through a groundbreaking power purchase agreement with Scout Clean Energy. This agreement marks a significant milestone for the city, bringing 147.5 megawatts of wind energy generated by the new Gonzaga Ridge wind project in Merced County, along with 50 megawatts of energy storage, to San Francisco.
This new energy source will be a game-changer for CleanPowerSF, providing enough power to serve 385,000 San Francisco homes. Gonzaga Ridge, developed by Colorado-based Scout Clean Energy, will become the largest wind energy contributor to CleanPowerSF’s portfolio, generating enough power annually to support approximately 120,000 San Francisco homes. The project also boasts a 50-megawatt, 4-hour battery storage system that will store excess energy generated during the day for evening use, when grid electricity is typically more expensive and reliant on natural gas.
This strategic move is poised to significantly boost the city’s clean energy footprint, making a major contribution to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “Thanks to our investment in Gonzaga Ridge, we will be nearly doubling the amount of clean wind energy for our CleanPowerSF customers,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “The SFPUC has been a clean energy provider for 100 years, and we are continuing to expand our renewable energy portfolio to supply San Francisco with clean, affordable, and reliable power. We’re helping to make the grid more resilient in the face of climate change, accelerate California’s transition from fossil fuel power to more renewable energy, and create good jobs.”
The project’s positive impact extends beyond just energy generation. The redevelopment of an existing wind farm in Pacheco Park will contribute to significant environmental benefits, including the offsetting of around 593,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the project will create 200 jobs during its development and construction phases. In a responsible effort to minimize waste, 378 tons of decommissioned turbine blades will be recycled, avoiding landfill waste and producing 360,000 pounds of concrete additives.
“We’re proud to help fulfill the impressive ambition of the SFPUC as they continue to establish the CleanPowerSF program as a model of successfully delivering clean energy to their community,” said Michael Rucker, Founder and CEO of Scout Clean Energy, a portfolio company managed by Brookfield Asset Management. “Gonzaga Ridge is a wonderfully unique project, and we’re excited to see it become an energy option for San Francisco residents.”
With the addition of Gonzaga Ridge, CleanPowerSF has now contracted over 600 megawatts of new renewable energy from solar, wind, and geothermal projects. This supply is enough to power more than 500,000 homes across San Francisco. CleanPowerSF’s energy storage contracts have also surpassed 300 megawatts. As of 2024, CleanPowerSF’s energy mix is over 95% clean and renewable, helping San Francisco reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use by 93% compared to 1990 levels over the past eight years.
The Gonzaga Ridge project is expected to be operational by May 2026, marking a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for San Francisco. This ambitious initiative demonstrates the city’s dedication to leading the charge in renewable energy adoption and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
