FirstLight and Burlington Electric Department Enter Power Purchase Agreement for Hydroelectricity to Support Burlington’s Energy Demand with Clean, New England Power
As part of the agreement, Burlington Electric Department will purchase clean hydropower and associated VT-1 renewable energy credits produced by FirstLight’s Connecticut hydroelectric facility
Burlington, MA and Burlington, VT – FirstLight, a leading clean power producer, developer and energy storage company, today announced a new power purchase agreement with Burlington Electric Department (BED). Through the agreement, which kicked off in July, FirstLight will deliver Burlington, Vermont over 54 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean hydropower and associated VT-1 renewable energy credits through 2025 from FirstLight’s in Connecticut, the state’s second largest source of renewable energy and largest hydroelectric facility. The new partnership between FirstLight and BED supports the City of Burlington’s commitment to 100% renewable power sourcing and its Net Zero Energy goal.
“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Burlington Electric Department, supporting this innovative municipal utility as it looks to maintain a 100% renewable power supply as electricity demand grows and the energy transition advances,” expressed Peter Rider, Chief Commercial Officer at FirstLight. “This collaboration complements BED’s mission to meet the energy needs of its customers in a safe, reliable, affordable, sustainable and socially responsible manner and advances FirstLight’s mission to accelerate decarbonization. We are proud to have a partner with a shared focus of turning ambition into action to accelerate the energy transition without sacrificing reliability.”
BED has purchased 100% of its power supply from renewable sources since 2014. As the City transitions away from fossil fuels in the thermal and ground transportation sectors largely through electrification, electricity demand is expected to grow. To support this increased demand while ensuring its energy mix remains 100% renewable, BED is looking to strategic partnerships like this new PPA with FirstLight to secure additional clean power generation.
“Our new collaboration with FirstLight serves as another example of Burlington Electric Department’s and the City of Burlington’s commitment to continuing to source 100% of our power from a mix of different types of renewable generation, while maintaining reliability for our customers,” said Darren Springer, BED General Manager. “As we electrify more of our heating and transportation needs, BED will continue to look for opportunities to source renewable power to meet demand. We are grateful for thoughtful partners like FirstLight, whose reliable, cost-competitive, clean electricity generation supports our climate goals in Burlington and helps to decarbonize the New England grid.”
Through this agreement, FirstLight’s Shepaug Generating Station will supply the contracted clean power to BED, which in turn will provide it to 21,000+ homes and businesses. The Shepaug Generating Station, located on the Housatonic River in both Newtown and Southbury, not only is relied on for clean power, but also creates Lake Lillinonah, one of the state’s largest lakes, which serves as a significant economic driver for host communities in western Connecticut. The lake provides accessible recreational opportunities throughout the year and contributes to the creation of a unique habitat for wildlife, notably dozens of bald eagles during the winter months.
About FirstLight
FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.6 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, and onshore and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage, utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Adrian, PA, Oshawa, ON, and Montréal, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America. FirstLight has been wholly owned by PSP Investments since 2016. To learn more, visit www.firstlight.energy or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Contacts:
FirstLight
Claire Belanger, 585-730-1218, claire.belanger@firstlight.energy
Travis Small, Slowey McManus Communications, 617-538-9041, tsmall@sloweymcmanus.com
About Burlington Electric Department
Burlington Electric Department (BED), established in 1905, is the municipal electric company of the City of Burlington, Vermont, providing reliable, affordable, and safe electric service to more than 21,000 residential and commercial/industrial customers. In 2014, Burlington became the first city in the nation to source 100% of its power from renewable generation and, currently, is pursuing the bold goal – adopted in 2019 by the Burlington City Council – of becoming a Net Zero Energy city by 2030. For more information about BED, please visit www.burlingtonelectric.com.
Mike Kanarick, 802-735-7962, mkanarick@burlingtonelectric.com