Gilroy Energy Center

The Gilroy Energy Center is located adjacent to the Gilroy Cogeneration Project, at 1350 Pacheco Pass Highway, Gilroy, Santa Clara County.

GEC is a 135-megawatt natural-gas fired simple-cycle peaking project consisting of three natural gas-fired, aero-derivative LM6000 PC SPRINT combustion turbine generators and associated facilities used to rapidly respond to peak system electricity demands. Highly flexible, quick-responding peaker plants help integrate intermittent renewable resources into the state’s power grid. GEC utilizes recycled water for cooling, and the electricity it generates is committed to the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. under a power purchase agreement.

GEC was reviewed under Public Resources Code section 25705, which granted the California Energy Commission (CEC) emergency permitting authority, and Executive Order D-26-01, issued February 8, 2001 and Executive Order D-28-01 issued on March 7, 2001. In Executive Order D-26-01 and D-28-01, the Governor ordered the CEC and other relevant state and local agencies to expedite review of proposed thermal power plants for construction and operation on an emergency basis by September 30, 2001. The Governor also declared that these projects were emergency projects under Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(4) and are thereby exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

On May 28, 2003, the CEC approved a Post-Certification Amendment (PCA) (TN 28982) to allow the installation and operation of a Zero Liquid Discharge Wastewater Treatment System at the site.

On June 11, 2003, the CEC approved a PCA (TN 28994) to transfer the ownership of the project from Calpine Corporation to Gilroy Energy Center, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Calpine Corporation. The name of the project was also changed from Gilroy City LM 6000 Phase I Project to Gilroy Energy Center.

The CEC Final Decision included a provision that would allow for the certification to be extended for the life of the project, provided that the conditions of certification were current and in compliance, the project was permanent in nature, and air emission credits were in place. On April 11, 2012, the CEC approved the extension (TN 64744) of GEC for the life of the facility, until such time that it ceases operations and commences permanent closure activities.