Natural gas generation will be used to guarantee grid stability in California as a group of companies break ground on a new power plant designed to complement renewable generation.

The CPV Sentinel 800 MW natural gas plant in Riverside Country, California, is funded by GE Energy Financial Services (GE), Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) and Diamond Generating Corporation (DGC). The $900 million project is being built by Gemma Power Systems California and is set to go into commercial operation by the summer of 2013.

Powered by eight GE Aero LMS100 turbine-generators that are specially designed to reach full load within in 10 minutes, the CPV Sentinel will act as a partner for the increasing number of solar and wind projects in California, a state that hopes to reach a goal of 33% energy from renewables by 2020. It is purposefully being built near California’s latest and largest solar project, the 1,000 MW Blythe Solar Power Project.

“What we see with natural gas is a plentiful resource and long term stable price,” said GE Energy Business Project Manager Dean Athens. “What the LMS100 brings is really a great enabler.”

For more on GE Energy’s latest turbine offerings, and how they are designed to complement renewable generation use, see: The Power Plant Designed For A Supercycle.

With the passing of California’s new renewable portfolio standard this past April, the plant may help the state keep its title as the nation’s top clean energy state and leader in renewable energy. The CPV Sentinel plant will contribute in these efforts as it adds the option of fast-firing natural gas as a way to back up renewable generation and improve grid reliability.

“GE as a company believes in a broad energy mix of all technologies and fuel types,” said Athens. “Natural gas can help get wind power on the grid in a stable and reliable [way].”