The gas fired plant is now feeding electricity into the grid.
California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the California Energy Commission have declared the start of commercial operations at the plant, which is located in Riverside County in California.
Utilizing modern power generation technology, and GE LMS100 aeroderivative gas turbine, the CPV Sentinel plant is capable of producing enough electricity to power 640,000 homes.
The project also used control technology for air emissions and Zero Liquid Discharge for water usage to make it an environment friendly plant.
Competitive Power Ventures Engineering and Construction senior vice president John Murphy said, "With California’s San Onofre nuclear plant off-line and power reserve margins expected to be tight, it is more important than ever that the CPV Sentinel Energy Project be available to support electric reliability this summer."
Gemma Power Systems California was the general contractor of the project supervising the construction work.
Electricity generated from the plant is currently being sold on a short-term basis, but will supply electricity under a long-term power purchase agreement to Southern California Edison.
Competitive Power Ventures, the managing member, developer and asset manager, owns 25% of the project, while GE Energy Financial Services owns 25%.
Diamond Generating owns the remaining 50% and will serve as the plant’s operator.
