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SFPUC recommends 50‑MW solar purchase for Clean Power SF and seeks $2.5M billing‑contract extension
Summary
SFPUC staff told the LAFCO board July 19 that Clean Power SF's 100% RPS "SuperGreen" product now represents more than 16% of retail sales, recommended buying a 50‑MW slice of the IP Easley solar project, and requested a six‑month, $2.5 million extension to a back‑office billing contract with Calpine Energy Solutions; both items move to SFPUC/Board approval.
Mike Himes, deputy assistant general manager at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, briefed the Local Agency Formation Commission on July 19 on Clean Power SF operations and two contract actions the SFPUC plans to advance.
Himes said Clean Power SF’s 100% RPS “SuperGreen” product now represents more than 16% of the program’s annual retail sales, up from roughly 8–9% about a year ago. He attributed that growth largely to the city's renewable‑energy ordinance that requires large commercial buildings to move to 100% renewable energy.
Himes told commissioners SFPUC staff are recommending the utility enter a 10‑year purchase agreement for a 50‑megawatt portion of the IP Easley solar project, a larger 400‑megawatt facility being developed by Intersect Power in Riverside County. Under the proposal Clean Power SF would buy the 50‑MW slice; Intersect Power expects the project to begin generating as soon as fall 2026, the presentation said. The SFPUC presented the recommendation to its Budget and Finance Committee; with committee support the agreement will go to the full Board of Supervisors for approval.
Himes also previewed a short extension and amendment to Clean Power SF’s existing back‑office services contract (CS247R) with Calpine Energy Solutions, which provides billing, meter data management and systems used for customer service and programs. The SFPUC is seeking a six‑month extension and an additional $2,500,000 to ensure continuity while a new procurement is completed; staff expect a new provider selection process to finish around October.
Himes framed the two items as part of maintaining Clean Power SF’s resource mix and operational continuity. He also explained the larger operational context — increased local solar, California’s shifting net load (the “duck curve”) and the role of battery storage — as drivers of procurement strategy.
The Clean Power SF presentation was informational for LAFCO; no LAFCO action was required. Himes took brief questions from commissioners about load trends and the duck curve before the commission closed public comment (no callers or in‑person speakers were reported).
What happens next: the IP Easley recommendation will move through SFPUC committees to the full board, and the Calpine amendment will be processed as part of the SFPUC’s procurement and contracting timeline.
