Three customers agree to purchase entire output of 35-MW NC solar project
A 35-MW solar project under development in northern North Carolina now has three energy purchases through Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage (GSA) program.
The City of Durham, Durham County Government and Durham Public Schools will purchase power generated from the project in Alamance County originated by Carolina Solar Energy and developed, owned and operated by Pine Gate Renewables. The project is expected to become operational by the end of 2025.
GSA supports solar energy development throughout North Carolina and helps participants meet renewable energy goals. Originally launched in 2017, the GSA program has been used by other customers such as the City of Charlotte, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Duke University. This is the first time multiple customers have joined together in one GSA project.
“This project is critical to the success of our Carbon Neutrality and Renewable Energy Action Plan, but it also means progress toward our goals to bring cleaner air and a healthier environment to our Durham community,” said City of Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal.
The city and county have goals to power operations and facilities with 80% renewable energy sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
“Pine Gate Renewables is pleased to work in partnership with Duke Energy to help the City of Durham, Durham County, and Durham Public Schools achieve their renewable energy goals,” said Ben Catt, CEO of Pine Gate Renewables. “As a North Carolina-based company now doing business across the country, we are proud to develop solar sites locally to create positive impacts in communities where our employees live, work and visit.”
The GSA program allows large customers to offset their power purchases by securing renewable energy from projects connected to the Duke Energy grid. The customer may keep the renewable energy certificates generated by the projects to satisfy sustainability or renewable energy goals. The customers are credited for the solar power the facility generates against their energy purchased from the Duke Energy grid.
News item from Pine Gate