Belridge Cogeneration Project

The Belridge Cogeneration facility is located within the Shell Western Exploration and Production Incorporated (SWEPI) South Belridge Oil Field in western Kern County. The oil field is located one mile west of the intersection of Seventh Standard Road and State Highway 33, approximately 11 miles north of McKittrick and 16 miles west of Buttonwillow. The project was granted a Small Power Plant Exemption by the CEC on October 5, 1988, and began commercial operation on December 1, 1986.

The 60 MW facility consists of three 20 MW gas turbine generators, three heat recovery system generators, and associated support systems. The gas turbines are fueled by both natural gas processed at the SWEPI gas plant adjacent to the facility site and purchased natural gas. Each unit generates electrical power at 13.8 kV which is stepped up to 115 kV. Power is transmitted to SWEPI's existing 115 kV oil field transmission system via a 3,000-foot transmission line which interconnects with PG&E's system at an existing SWEPI metering protection station.