The California Energy Commission has approved the construction of two natural gas-fired power plants with a total generating capacity of 824MW.
The proposed projects include the 200MW Mariposa power project in northeastern Alameda County and the 624MW Oakley Generating Station in eastern Contra Costa County, California.
The Mariposa power project, owned by Mariposa Energy, is a simple-cycle peaking facility and is expected to begin commercial operation by mid-2012.
The Oakley Generating Station, which is a combined-cycle facility, is being proposed by Radback Energy and is expected to commence commercial operation by June 2016.
The California Energy Commission chair Robert Weisenmiller said that approving these natural gas power plants will help meet California’s growing energy needs.