City Committee Unanimously Approves $100 Million, Long-Term Contracts for Renewable Energy, Battery Energy Storage

The Municipal Services Committee has unanimously approved two long-term energy contracts — a $47.1 million contract for renewable wind energy and a $55.3 million contract for battery energy storage.

The 10-year wind energy contract with CalWind Resources Inc., which begins on May 1, 2025, is for a 20-megawatt wind turbine facility named Wind Resource II Project located in Tehachapi, California. The contract specifies an annual expected energy delivery of 60,000 megawatt-hours. CalWind Resources Inc. is a small wind operating company with two sites in Tehachapi totaling around 30 MW.

“CalWind will provide clean energy to approximately 10,000 homes in a year,” Pasadena Water and Power Assistant General Manager Kelly Nguyen told the Municipal Services Committee at its June 11 meeting. The committee also approved granting this contract an exemption from the competitive selection process.

The committee also unanimously approved a 15-year, $55.3 million contract with Glenarm BESS LLC, a special purpose entity created by EPC Energy Inc., for a 25 MW battery energy storage system. The battery energy storage system will provide four hours of energy storage allowing Pasadena Water and Power to store 100 MWh on a daily basis. It will be located within the Glenarm Power Plant complex.

According to Nguyen, the proposed battery energy storage system would connect to the nearby Glenarm Receiving Station, and would be designed, constructed, owned and operated by Glenarm BESS LLC on behalf of Pasadena.

Nguyen said both contracts will help reach Pasadena’s goal to source 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030.

Additionally, Nguyen noted the battery storage contract supports Pasadena Water and Power’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan which recommends installing substantial solar and battery resources within Pasadena. It will provide local reliability when the city experiences transmission line outages and power import limitations.

Municipal Services Committee members praised Pasadena Water and Power for the contracts. “Really congratulations to the Pasadena Water and Power team. This is really, really hard work,” said Chair Felicia Williams.

Public commenter Sam Berndt applauded the contracts, stating “Today’s agenda is truly incredible to see and I applaud Pasadena Water and Power for bringing this contract forward for your consideration. Not only is it a zero carbon resource, but it also provides resource diversity that is useful in providing reliability reliable electricity throughout the day. That and when paired with the battery contract to follow make up nearly 10% of our resource adequacy needs…”

Councilmembers Williams, Justin Jones and Tyron Hampton voted to approve both contracts. Councilmember Jason Lyon was absent from the meeting.