California Water Service Signs 20-Year Solar Agreement in Bakersfield

California Water Service (Cal Water) has entered a 20-year power purchase agreement with EDPR NA Distributed Generation LLC to install a 2.35 MWdc / 1.75 MWac solar photovoltaic array at its Northeast Bakersfield Treatment Plant. This solar project is expected to generate approximately 3,800 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually, which will help reduce grid energy costs by around $1.7 million over the agreement's duration for customers in the Bakersfield District. The partnership aims to lower Cal Water’s environmental footprint, reduce traditional power costs, and support the company's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Cal Water’s CEO, Marty Kropelnicki, emphasized the importance of the solar array in maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable water services while advancing sustainability. João Barreto, CEO of EDPR NA Distributed Generation, highlighted California’s leadership in clean energy and the critical role of such infrastructure investments in the water-energy nexus. This collaboration reflects a broader commitment to sustainable utility services and renewable energy investments in California.