Hydroelectric

Vermont utility agrees to purchase more than 54 GWh of hydropower in Connecticut

FirstLight’s Shepaug Generating Station is Connecticut’s largest hydroelectric generation station and is also the second largest source of carbon-free electricity in the state.
Vermont utility agrees to purchase more than 54 GWh of hydropower in Connecticut
Shepaug Generating Station (Credit: FirstLight)

FirstLight has announced a new power purchase agreement with Burlington Electric Department, a Vermont public power utility.

Through the agreement, which kicked off in July, FirstLight will deliver Burlington more than 54 GWh of hydropower and associated VT-1 renewable energy credits through 2025 from FirstLight’s Shepaug Generating Station in Connecticut.

Shepaug is Connecticut’s largest hydroelectric generation station and is also the second largest source of carbon-free electricity in the state, located on the Housatonic River in Newtown and Southbury. Built in 1955, it has a 42.6 MW capacity.

“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.

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, it expects electricity demand 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.

“As we electrify more of our heating and transportation needs, BED will continue to look for opportunities to source renewable power to meet demand,” he said.

“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.”

FirstLight has a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with more than 4 GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind 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.