San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is hoping the addition of a European solar power company to the city’s growing stable of alternative energy producers will continue to boost his green technology initiatives.
The mayor introduced officials with the Spanish company Fotowatio at a City Hall news conference Tuesday afternoon. The company has agreed to set up its North American headquarters in San Francisco, to be called Fotowatio Renewable Ventures after the company’s recent purchase of the San Francisco-based Renewable Ventures.
Newsom on Tuesday outlined his ongoing economic development plan, which includes trying to attract bioscience, life science, nanotechnology, digital media and arts, and green technology firms to the city.
Newsom called it “an organized effort to bring some of the best and brightest minds” to San Francisco.
His office has already made efforts to lure companies from China and other parts of Asia.
In the past two years, San Francisco has attracted more than 200 green technology companies, Newsom said.
“We are really, arguably becoming a world leader, not just a regional leader, but a world leader in green tech,” he said.
Newsom called Fotowatio “one of the world’s leaders in renewable energy.” The company finances, owns and operates large-scale solar power systems, including a 14-megawatt solar photovoltaic array at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and a 2-megawatt solar power system at Denver International Airport.
Company officials said on Tuesday they plan to employ about 50 people in San Francisco initially, and are considering a project on Treasure Island.
