AES Corp. has ended operations at one of many group’s 4 remaining pure gas-fired energy vegetation in California. AES on Dec. 31 shut down its 1,300-MW Redondo Seaside Producing Station, a facility that operated at lower than full capability in recent times, offering electrical energy to assist the grid in periods of peak demand for energy.
AES in early 2023 stated it might shut the ability plant, which got here on-line in 1954, by the top of the 12 months. Metropolis officers marked the shutdown with a ceremonial flip of a swap on New 12 months’s Eve, marking the top of the plant’s operations.
Redondo Seaside officers had lengthy sought closure of the plant, noting in a latest information launch that “The retirement of the AES energy plant represents a major step in direction of a extra sustainable and environmentally pleasant future for Redondo Seaside, and your complete Santa Monica Bay.”
“AES is proud to have been a part of this historic effort to assist the state’s grid reliability wants and appears ahead to partnering on future renewables alternatives within the state,” an AES spokesperson stated in an announcement forward of Sunday’s occasion. “AES will work with the house owners, the Metropolis of Redondo Seaside and relevant authorities to make sure a easy property transition in 2024.”
Closure of Gasoline-Fired Models
California initially had scheduled the entire state’s pure gas-fired models which can be cooled by ocean water to be closed by year-end 2020, a call made by the State Water Sources Management Board in 2010. The board cited detrimental impacts to marine life when seawater was moved into the ability vegetation.
Regulators, although, later accepted working extensions for AES vegetation alongside the coast after the state skilled rolling blackouts on account of a collection of utmost warmth waves. Power analysts informed officers that until California elevated its buildout of renewable vitality sources, or stored some gas-fired models working—and likewise stored the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant on-line—these energy shortages would possible proceed.
The water management board in August 2023 stated the AES vegetation, aside from Redondo Seaside, may proceed to function at the least by 2026, as a substitute of being closed on the finish of final 12 months. These vegetation—the Ormond Seaside Producing Station in Oxnard, the Alamitos Power Middle in Lengthy Seaside, and the Huntington Seaside facility—will have the ability to function to supply a backup supply of electrical energy throughout energy emergencies.
The Redondo Seaside plant, owned by AES Southland Power, had 4 gas-fired models and offered its energy to Southern California Edison.
Redevelopment Questions
Redevelopment of the 50-acre energy plant website in Redondo Seaside stays undetermined. Leo Pustilnikov, an actual property developer who purchased the location in 2020, has proposed constructing a big mixed-use residential and industrial advanced on the land, however has obtained pushback from native officers.
Pustilnikov has filed a lawsuit, reportedly set for trial in March, in an effort to pressure the town to course of his software for redeveloping the location. Pustilnikov has stated he wish to start repurposing the location in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months.
Pustilnikov additionally has stated that AES’ lease on the property means he can not do something on the website for one more a number of months.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior affiliate editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).
