LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 5, 2000—Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL - news) have negotiated a contract for two additional environmentally responsible fuel cell power plants to be installed in the Los Angeles area by DWP for $2.45 million.
On Dec. 1, the Los Angeles City Council authorized the signing of this contract, subject to the five-day public appeal process. The first 250 kW Direct FuelCell(r) (DFC(r)) power plant is to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2001 and the second in the first quarter of 2002.
A previously ordered 250 kW fuel cell power plant, announced last year, is to be installed at the DWP headquarters in the second quarter of 2001.
DWP will fund the new project under its Public Benefits Program authorized by California's utility deregulation act of 1996. DWP will install these units to further demonstrate their ease of siting and the operational benefits of distributed power.
S. David Freeman, DWP's general manager said, "With approval of these additional projects, we are pleased to support the development of energy from advanced technology fuel cells, expected to be one of the main power sources in the years to come. The DWP is prepared to be a 21st Century leader in the use of this clean resource."
Jerry Leitman, president and chief executive officer of FuelCell Energy said, "We are pleased to join DWP in their efforts to bring efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to their customers. The DFC power plants can be easily sited in urban areas because they are quiet and operate without producing measurable nitrogen and sulfur emissions. Our fuel cells provide a distributed generation option, or energy produced near the user, that is cost competitive and protective of the environment."
"These fuel cell power plants will expand the important role of fuel cell power in our Distributed Generation Program. This new program is designed to improve our quality of service by locating small and clean electric generators near our customers' facilities," said Mahmud Chaudhry, DWP's assistant general manager- distribution.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the nation's largest city-owned utility with 1.4 million electric customers. DWP has a workforce of more than 7,000 and provides water and electric services to 3.7 million businesses and residents in the city. It serves a geographic area of 465 square miles.
Further information is found on the web site at www.GreenLA.com, or www.LADWPcom.
FuelCell Energy, Inc. is a recognized leader in the development and commercialization of high efficiency fuel cells for electric power generation. The Danbury, Connecticut-based company has been developing DFC technology with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory.
The lab has an advanced fuel cell research program focused on developing a new generation of high performance fuel cells that can generate clean electricity at power stations or in distributed locations near customer facilities.
Further information about FuelCell Energy, Inc. can be received by clicking onto its Website at www.fce.com.
