NV Energy, an energy company that serves Nevada, has applied to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada requesting its permission to contact long-term power purchase agreements to buy 50 MW from two new solar PV projects proposed in southern Nevada and a 51 MW geothermal project proposed to be located in Churchill County, Nevada.
The new power purchase agreements, for which NV Energy has applied for permission from the Utilities Commission include a 30 MW (AC) solar PV project to be constructed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, a California-based company and a 20 MW AC project developed by NextEra Energy Resources, a Florida-based company, and both the projects will be located east of the City of North Las Vegas. The new 51 MW geothermal project, for which the company has sought permission, is developed by Ormat Technologies, a Reno-based company and it is located near Dixie, Nevada.
The company has also sought permission to sign long-term accords with Amonix, a designer and producer of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar systems. The company intends to buy Renewable Portfolio Standard "credits” generated by various solar projects of Amonix located in the City of North Las Vegas.
The approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada will enable the company to have a total of 1281 MW power production from renewable energy sources, which include 13 solar power projects, 2 wind projects, 5 small sized hydro projects, 4 biomass projects, 23 geothermal projects and a energy recovery station. The company hopes to achieve or surpass the mandatory 15% clean energy portfolio for the year 2011.