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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Power Plant Application in State’s Hands

New Jersey-based LS Power on June 30 filed an application with the California Energy Commission to build a new power plant in Chula Vista.

The San Diego Unified Port District currently owns the Chula Vista power plant and leases it to LS Power. This plant was built in the 1960s by San Diego Gas & Electric and was acquired from Duke Energy in 2006. The new plant, proposed for an area just south of the existing plant, would replace it. Demolition of the existing plant would free up 115 acres of bay front property for redevelopment.

Compared to the existing plant that occupies 115 acres, the new plant would be remarkably smaller, occupying a mere 19 acres. Although it has a smaller capacity than the existing plant, it is much more efficient. The existing plant produces 710 megawatts and the new plant would produce up to 620 megawatts, or enough energy for 620,000 houses.

“This new plant is needed for reliability in the region,” said David Hicks, a spokesman for LS Power.

The proposed plant would sit on port land and LS Power would own the power plant building, which differs from the existing plant’s ownership. The existing plant and the property are both owned by the port; LS Power South Bay LLC leases and operates the plant.

“The proposed plant would have a smaller total capacity, but would be drastically more efficient producing megawatts with less emissions,” Hicks said.

Now it’s a waiting game and, according to Hicks, the application review will take at least one year before the company gets news of approval to build the plant.

“We would like to see construction start in 2008 and be completed at the end of 2010,” Hicks said.

, Katy Graham

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