SAN JOSE, CA — Calpine Corp., an independent power company based here, has broken ground for its new 600-MW Metcalf Energy Center (MEC) in the Coyote Valley area of San Jose. The company expects the new natural gas-fired facility to begin supplying power during the summer of 2004.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a license for the facility in September of last year, after almost two and a half years of review.

MEC received support from Governor Gray Davis, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the California State Assembly, the Democratic and Republican leadership of the California legislature, and other government agencies, business groups, and environmental organizations.

Pete Cartwright, chairman, CEO, and president of Calpine, stated, “Once built, Metcalf will be one of the most modern power generating facilities in the world, providing an ample supply of clean, reliable energy to Silicon Valley to support the continuing development of world-renowned, cutting edge technologies.”

“We have always believed Metcalf was a vitally needed infrastructure resource for a region lacking its own significant local source of power generation. We are fortunate to have sited this project in an ideal location," said Ken Abreu, Calpine’s director of project development, Western Region.

One of the environmental benefits is the donation of 131 acres for a new conservation area in the Coyote Valley to be known as the Metcalf Energy Center Ecological Preserve. The donation also includes an endowment to be used for ongoing management of the land.

Publication date: 06/24/2002