Dive Brief:
- The Nevada Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 4 approved NV Energy's Integrated Resource Plan, including three solar projects totaling 1,190 MW and 590 MW of energy storage capacity.
- All of the new projects will be located in southern Nevada and are planned to be online by 2024. The utility last year committed to doubling its renewable energy resources by 2023 and says it is on track to meet that goal.
- The largest of the projects is Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners' Gemini solar+storage project. The company says it is believed to be one of the largest projects of its kind globally, with capital expenditures expected to top $1 billion.
Dive Insight:
A Nevada law passed in April requires NV Energy to supply 50% of its power from renewable resources by 2030 and 100% from carbon-free sources by 2050. The utility says approval for its long-term resource plan sets it on pace to meet those goals.
The newly-approved projects include:
- Arrow Canyon Solar Project: A 200 MW solar facility will be paired with a 75 MW, 5-hour battery system located 20 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The project is being developed by EDF Renewables North America.
- Southern Bighorn Solar & Storage Center: A 300 MW solar array that includes a 135 MW, 4-hour battery energy storage system will be located 30 miles north of Las Vegas. It is being developed by 8minute Solar Energy.
- Gemini Solar+Storage: Gemini boasts 690 MW of solar capacity and a 380 MW battery storage system. The project will be located 25 miles northeast of Las Vegas on approximately 7,100 acres of federally-owned land.
Approval of the projects "clears the path for [us] to progress into the final stages of project design and procurement planning for what could be one of the world’s largest ever renewables projects," Quinbrook managing partner David Scaysbrook said in a statement.
NV Energy said the new projects will be added to its current portfolio of 57 geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, biomass and supported rooftop solar projects that are either in service or under development. The utility says it has exceeded the state's renewable energy requirements for nine straight years.
NV Energy is adding the renewable resources as it slows the loss of large customers. Last year the utility saw multiple customers apply to exit its service as retail power provider prices became more competitive.
The utility got a boost from a new state law that went into effect in June. Senate Bill 547 requires any business applying to leave the utility's service to prove their exit won't have a significant impact on rates.
