The port of Long Beach helped with the immediate delivery of necessary supplies for a renewable energy project in California in order to not be interrupted.
The supply chain problems cut off flow to Rosendin Electric amid the installation of US$750 million solar panels that stretch for 12.94 square km in East Riverside County, capable of generating enough renewable energy to power 179,000 homes annually.
“You’re talking about a human factor of losing jobs when you don’t have the equipment on site, so I knew we had to jump on this immediately,” said Tommy Faavae, a business development agent for IBEW Local 11 and the National Electrical Contractors Association in Los Angeles.
Rosendin Electric and IBEW turned to Long Beach Harbor for help, commissioning Port’s Commercial Operations Bureau to locate vital solar installations in Riverside County, in addition to components for an upcoming project in Fresno County.
Eventually, more than 100 freight containers were successfully transported carrying materials for both renewable energy projects.
These actions allowed the workforce of 500 skilled electricians and ironworkers to continue construction at the Riverside County facility until mid-January and to meet the deadline for completion in May. In addition, workers were not affected in the Fresno County area, where construction began in mid-April.
“We will always do our part to support projects that enhance air quality and move our state closer toward using greener energy sources,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal.