By entering into a Power Purchase Agreement to buy wind energy at a fixed rate over the next 20 years, Washington, D.C., is lowering its carbon footprint and saving money for taxpayers.
In 2015, Washington, D.C., entered into a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Iberdrola Renewables. Wind power procured under the PPA will supply roughly one-third of the District government’s electricity from a 46 MW wind farm. The deal is the largest of its kind ever entered into by an American city. Under the PPA, the District does not pay for the wind farm itself, but rather, agrees to purchase 125,000 to 150,000 MWh of wind electricity every year at a fixed rate 30% lower than fossil fuel power.
100,000 tons of carbon reduced each year from the wind PPA
Cities100 – 2015
The avoided emissions will reduce government-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2013 levels, which is the equivalent of growing 24 million trees each year. The PPA is expected to spur additional investment in the local renewable energy market by demonstrating confidence in wind energy as a scalable, long-term solution. The District is also negotiating two solar PPAs that would install 12.5 MW of solar arrays on roughly 50 District buildings, providing another 3% to 5% of the government’s electricity consumption.
The challenge
Large-scale wind power is not feasible in Washington, D.C., but, with the use of a PPA, the District is able to directly source wind power and advance the regional market for renewable energy. The PPA also reduces the District’s vulnerability to volatile energy prices by establishing a long-term price for electricity that is fixed for 20 years and cheaper than fossil fuel-based power.
Co-benefits
Economic The PPA will help stabilize long-term electricity costs and is estimated to save District taxpayers $45 million over the next 20 years through lower electricity rates.
Environmental Greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the PPA are equivalent to taking 20,000 cars off the road.
Health The majority of the District’s air pollution comes from fossil fuel-fired power plants located outside its borders. The PPA prevents the release of air pollutants such as soot, smog, and mercury that are harmful to human health.
Social The wind farm that the PPA supports has created close to 100 clean energy jobs during construction and supports roughly half-a-dozen permanent positions.
About Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., commonly referred to as “Washington”, or simply “D.C.”, is the capital of the United States. Washington had an estimated population of 681,170 as of July 2016. Commuters from the surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs raise the city’s population to more than one million during the workweek.
