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Sundurance Energy Breaks Ground on First Power Purchase Agreement for U.S. Marine Corps

BARSTOW, CA, May 14, 2012 – SunDurance Energy broke ground Monday morning on the first-ever solar power purchase agreement (“PPA”) for the United States Marines Corps at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow, California.  The procurement and management of project has been overseen by the Navy Facilities Command, Southwest Region. 

The innovative project will comprise 4,454 photovoltaic solar panels on two sites on the base and is expected to generate 2.7 million kWh of electricity in the first year of operation, or enough power for approximately 140 typical U.S. homes.  Under the PPA, SunDurance Energy will own the project and sell the power that is generated to the Marines.

“We are proud to be contributing to the energy-security of the Marine Corps, an organization that symbolizes American independence and freedom,” said Al Bucknam, CEO of SunDurance Energy.  “We appreciate the determination of all involved to develop a contracting model that provides instant energy savings to the Marines with zero up-front investment and fully complies with federal acquisition regulations.”

The project will supply about 25% of the base’s electricity requirements and is expected to provide the Marine Corps with $3.9 million in energy savings over the 20-year term of the PPA.   There will be significant environmental benefits as well, as the project will offset the release of 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, or the equivalent of planting 28,000 trees and growing them for ten years.  

“This solar project is an important step toward our Base goal of net zero power from the grid,” said Col. Dan Ermer, Commander of the Marine Corps Logistics Base.  “It is vital for our country’s military installations to be insulated from external power disruptions and to demonstrate leadership as stewards of our natural resources.”