Solar Trust of America Receives Approval for Amargosa Farm Road Solar Project

Solar Trust of America has received the approval for its 500 megawatt solar thermal power plant from the U.S. Interior Department. The $3 billion project is to be built on federal land in Nevada. The company received a ‘Record of Decision’ for the project on Monday.

Construction on the Nevada solar power plant is estimated to start in end 2011. Josef Eichhammer, President of Solar Trust of America and CEO of Solar Millennium, said that it was important for the state of Nevada to take a leadership position in the solar industry and utilize their abundant solar resources for electricity generation.

The Amargosa Farm Road Solar Project is likely to generate about 1,300 direct jobs during the construction period which would last about three years. Thereafter there will be about 180 jobs in the operation and maintenance of the power plant. It is likely to house two 250 megawatt units in the power facility once completed.