The Port of Hueneme partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects, to build a 913-kilowatt solar energy carport system over an automobile staging area near the Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District Administration building. Built at no upfront cost to the Port, the completed project will help stabilize electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the Port’s goal of eliminating emissions from its on-Port operations by 2030.
The 913-kW solar carport system will generate more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity each year, enough to power 250 homes in the region. This output will eliminate 730 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent of GHG emissions from 170 gas-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year. When the Port is not needing this additional power, the electrons generated by this new solar infrastructure will go back into the local grid to bolster local power availability.
The Port of Hueneme pursued this project as part of its “Charging Forward to Zero Emissions by 2030” initiative. Under this initiative the Port seeks to become the first zero-emission port in the United States. The solar project builds upon the Port’s record of environmental leadership, which includes becoming the first California port to earn certification from Green Marine, the leading international environmental certification program for the maritime industry.
“The Port of Hueneme strives to be a leader in maritime sustainability, and this project demonstrates how decarbonization creates both fiscal and environmental upsides for Californians,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Directors. “This solar carport turns our own headquarters into a working example of sustainable seaport operations and takes us one step closer to becoming the first fully zero-emission port in the United States.”
The project also created opportunities for local businesses. Central Coast Engineering performed the slurry seal work for the solar canopy, as well as the removal and replacement of asphalt patches and striping. A-C Electric provided EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) services, bringing local expertise and contributing to the project’s completion.
Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Port, ForeFront Power develops, finances, and owns the solar project, while charging the Port a fixed electricity rate that is lower than the utility, for the 20-year duration of the agreement. This cost structure enabled the Port to complete this project at no upfront cost and without using bond funds. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system for the complete project lifespan at no additional cost.
Leveraging the PPA model aligns with the Port of Hueneme’s financial mandate of self-sufficiency. The Port operates bond- and debt-free, funded by its own revenue rather than taxpayer dollars. The fixed rate for electricity also protects the Port from future utility rate hikes, providing budget certainty and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. ForeFront Power has worked with public agencies across California on similar projects to help facilitate on-site generation of power.
“The Port of Hueneme is a vital economic engine, and its energy needs created an opportunity to lead by example,” said Ruben R. Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. “Generating clean energy on-site is driving greater efficiency while advancing the environmental stewardship that is so important to the future of the maritime industry.”
“This project demonstrates that protecting the environment and being good financial stewards go hand in hand because sustainable port operations can bring cost savings,” added Hodge, of the Oxnard Harbor District Board. “It’s another meaningful step for the Port of Hueneme as we charge forward to Zero Emissions by 2030.”
About the Port of Hueneme
The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. Five locally elected Port Commissioners govern the Port. The Port consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. Ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $2.8 billion in economic activity and creating 24,997 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first Port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit.
About ForeFront Power
ForeFront Power is a leading provider of energy solutions and advisory services. This includes commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as fleet electrification and asset management services. With over 15 years of experience, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. In addition to project development and asset management, ForeFront Power provides strategic advisory services that help organizations navigate complex energy decisions—from sustainability and procurement planning to renewable project implementation. The company serves a wide array of business, government, education, healthcare, and community solar customers from its San Francisco headquarters and through teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.forefrontpower.com.
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