Cross Border Renewable Energy Challenges and Opportunities: Discussion of Regulatory, Land, Infrastructure and Tax Issues

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1 Cross Border Renewable Energy Challenges and Opportunities: Discussion of Regulatory, Land, Infrastructure and Tax Issues Baja Wind Energy Generation and Transmission: Potential for Development Nicolás Puga, Partner, Bates White, LLC Faramarz Nabavi, Deputy Director, California Wind Energy Association (CalWEA) Cross Border Climate & Renewable Energy: Opportunity for Trade & Investment Institute of the Americas, Weaver Center, La Jolla, CA

2 Agenda Baja Wind Generation and Transmission Potential Objective of this session Baja California wind energy resource potential California-Mexico border transmission Existing transmission RETI conceptual transmission upgrades Impacts on neighboring transmission systems 2

3 Wind energy potential in northern Baja California Baja has the second highest wind energy potential in Mexico Estimates of developable potential tentative; site-specific anemometric studies underway Using NREL AWS True Wind 50 m wind speed estimates, the Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) Phase 1B study estimated almost 2,400 MW of highly competitive developable wind potential in La Rumorosa CAISO Baja interconnection applications of over 5,000 MW at the close of the Transition Cluster in June 2008 Sempra Energy has a major wind project in La Rumorosa Resource is too large for local consumption Source: Asociados Panamericanos, reproduced by permission. 3

4 RETI incorporates Baja California renewable energy resource areas Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) identified renewable energy resource areas in California and neighboring states that can provide renewable electricity to California by 2020 in a cost effective and environmentally benign manner (Phase 1). Phase 2 recently completed a conceptual plan for expanding CA s transmission grid to access CREZ with the lowest costs and impacts needed to reach 33% renewables. RETI preliminarily identified ~24,800 MW of wind in the northern 300 km of Baja using NREL geo-referenced wind power data. A technical potential of 9,000 MW was identified in La Rumorosa resource area; 5,000 MW were modeled in Phase 1B. Santa Catarina resource area (SE of La Rumorosa) will be studied in Phase 2B; for Phase 2A, approximation of 8,931 GWh was included as a place holder to represent potential. Source: Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative RETI Phase 1B Final Report - January 2009 RETI F CAISO interconnection applications exist for both La Rumorosa and Santa Catarina. RETI to model La Rumorosa projects w/poi at Eco Substation; Santa Catarina projects w/poi at Imperial Valley Substation. 4

5 Baja California Wind Resources Ranks Among Best Economic Areas Notes: Source: RETI Phase 2A Final Report, Appendix N, Page N-69, using environmental methodology provided by the wind industry. Areas of the bubbles are proportional to CREZ energy. Out of state economic scores include proxy costs for delivering energy to the California border. Comparable environmental data was not available in time for out of state resource areas; assigned median in-state CREZ score. Environmental scores for five California CREZ (Carrizo North, Imperial South, San Diego North Central, San Bernardino-Baker, Imperial North-B) too high to appear on chart; these would be to the right of the chart s edge. 5

6 RETI CREZ Economic Rankings CREZ Name Total Energy Adjusted Economic Score Oregon 3, Nevada C 2, Solano 2, Palm Springs 2, Nevada N Round Mountain-A 2, Baja-A (La Rumorosa) 8, Baja-B (Santa Catarina) 8, British Columbia 1, Fairmont 10, Imperial North-A 10, Tehachapi 29, Owens Valley 3, Kramer 16, Inyokern 6, San Diego South 1, Twentynine Palms 4, Victorville 4, Pisgah 6, Riverside East 25, Mountain Pass 4, San Bernardino - Lucerne 8, Barstow 5, Cuyama 1, Iron Mountain 11, San Diego North Centra Imperial East 3, Imperial North-B 4, Carrizo North 3, Santa Barbara 1, San Bernardino - Baker 8, Lassen South 1, Imperial South 9, Carrizo South 8, Needles 1, Lassen North 3, Round Mountain-B

7 Ability to reach California s power markets is limited by existing transmission Green Path North To Hesperia and/or Lugo DEVERS 2 INDIAN HILLS IID upgrade to the Imperial Valley-Mirage-Devers corridor to be completed in phases between Sunrise Power Link Sunrise Powerlink (SDG&E): CPUC approval ~ Dec 18, Possible completion by

8 Possible cross-border export paths for Baja California wind power Green Path North HIGHLINE Sunrise Power Link JACUMBA To IID US-MEXICO BORDER La Rumorosa Source: Generation and Transmission Expansion Plan Baja California System , Florencio Aboytes PhD, CFE,

9 RETI s Conceptual Transmission Plan The Conceptual Transmission Plan consists of three types of lines: 1. Renewable Foundation lines that increase the capacity of the California grid and its ability to move power between major load centers 2. Renewable Delivery lines to move energy from the Foundation lines to the load centers 3. Renewable Collector lines carry power from CREZ to Foundation and Delivery lines The Conceptual Transmission Plan: Identifies potential transmission network lines for further detailed study by CAISO or POUs. Locates most conceptual lines in existing rights of way and/or designated utility corridors. Builds in environmental considerations from the first; includes high-level screening of conceptual transmission lines. The Conceptual Plan Does Not: Include precise routing of lines. Preclude study of other areas with renewable potential. Provide a determination of need, or information about power flows, congestion, or reliability. Determine ability of existing system to accommodate flows of new renewable generation. Provide the project-level environmental impact assessments required for specific project approvals. 9

10 Southern California RETI Conceptual Transmission Segments Source: Generation and Transmission Expansion Plan Baja California System , Florencio Aboytes PhD, CFE,

11 While trunk lines and gen-ties were not considered by RETI, A line from La Rumorosa to Eco Substation would lower transmission costs 11

12 Impacts on neighboring transmission systems Interconnecting over 5,000 MW of Baja wind generation could have significant impacts on the neighboring power systems Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) and Imperial Irrigation District (IID), the balancing areas adjoining CAISO, will be affected by the interconnection of this new resource, even if they are not directly connected to it Impacts must be identified and addressed to CFE s satisfaction prior to its concurrence with the issuance of regulatory export permits by the Comisión Reguladora de Energía CAISO has engaged CFE and IID to study the impact that the region s generation cluster will have on their systems Impact remediation will remain a bilateral process between CFE and/or IID and each wind developer. It is possible that significant reinforcement of CFE s 230-kV East-West corridor could be necessary as a system impact of bringing all of Baja s wind generation potential online how much will developers be asked to shoulder? Integrating 5,000 MW plus of Baja wind may require regulation resources not readily available in southern California or Baja California 12

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