NV Energy To Build Over 1 GW Solar In Nevada

• NV Energy's Integrated Resource Plan has been approved by the state's Public Utilities Commission
• Under this, NV Energy will build 1,001 MW solar power capacity as 6 new projects with 100 MW of battery storage capacity
• NextEra Energy Resources, Cypress Creek Renewables, 8minutenergy Renewables, CED Southwest Holdings, Techren Solar are the developers working on these projects
• All these projects will be completed and connected to the grid by the end of 2021

Nevada based utility NV Energy has got the seal of approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) for its Integrated Resource Plan, through which it will commission 1,001 MW of solar power projects in the US state. This will be installed with 100 MW of battery storage capacity, which NV says will be for the first time in the state.

The 6 projects are identified as:

• 101 MW Battle Mountain Solar Project near Battle Mountain, Nevada with 25 MW of battery energy storage for 4-hours, which will be the country's 'largest DC-coupled combined solar & battery storage system', it said. Cypress Creek Renewables is developing the project.
• 200 MW Dodge Flat Solar Energy Center east of Reno in Nevada being developed by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will have 50 MW battery storage system for 4 hours.
• 100 MW Fish Springs Ranch Solar Energy Center north of Reno is also being developed by NextEra Energy Resources. It will integrate 25 MW of battery storage for 4 hours.
• 300 MW Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Farm in north of Las Vegas will be developed by 8minutenergy Renewables. This one, says NV Energy, is the lowest-priced solar project in the country.
• 250 MW Copper Mountain Solar 5 in Eldorado Valley in south of Boulder City, is being developed by CED Southwest Holdings, Inc.
• 50 MW Techren Solar V will be developed by Techren Solar LLC in Eldorado Valley, adjacent to Techren Solar I, II, III and IV, all of which are under construction. With Techren Solar V, the total Techren project size will be 400 MW.

All the 6 projects are planned to be connected to the grid by the end of 2021 and will reflect an investment of more than $2 billion. These are expected to create jobs for more than 1,700 construction workers as well as 80 new long-term permanent jobs. For end consumers, the systems are expected to reduce costs over the next 30 years compared to wholesale power markets.

"These six new projects, which represent the largest renewable energy investment in Nevada's history, will also bring great economic benefits to our state," said NV Energy President, Doug Cannon.     

In January 2018, NV Energy had issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 330 MW of new renewable energy projects, and in May 2018, it announced securing 1,001 MW of new solar energy capacity as 6 projects with battery storage capacity. In October 2018, it issued a new RFP for 350 MW of capacity (see US Utility Launches RFP For 350 MW RE).