Nevada utility NV Energy will add two new solar + storage projects totaling 600 MW of energy and 480 MW of storage and have the capacity to power 127,000 homes to its customer territory. NV Energy filed its triennial Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) June 1 with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) that lays out a strategy to advance Nevada’s sustainability goals while maintaining safe and reliable service during extreme temperatures and ensuring low, stable rates for customers.
Credit: Rosendin
“Today’s filing demonstrates NV Energy’s commitment to helping Nevada achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and builds upon the environmental, economic and reliability benefits that Greenlink Nevada, our new transmission initiative, will bring to our state and our customers,” said Doug Cannon, NV Energy president and CEO. “This plan outlines several innovative ways we are ensuring safe and reliable service in a changing climate and meeting the growing and evolving energy needs of our customers.”
These solar + storage projects are being proposed in order to replace the coal-fired North Valmy Generation Station, located in Winnemucca by 2025. They are expected to create several hundred construction jobs, with the bulk to be performed by the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers through a labor agreement with project developer Primergy Solar and will provide 16 permanent positions.
The Iron Point Solar Project is a 250-MW solar photovoltaic system paired with 200 MW of battery storage. The project will be located in Humboldt County and has an expected in-service date of December 2023. And Hot Pot Solar Project is a 350-MW solar photovoltaic system paired with 280 MW of battery storage. The project will be located in Humboldt County and has an expected in-service date of December 2024.
NV Energy will also build three grid-tied battery energy storage systems in northern Nevada. These systems will provide 66 MW of energy storage capacity that can be dispatched during times of highest customer demand.
The IRP filing also includes new energy efficiency and demand response options for NV Energy’s residential customers. Offered under the PowerShift by NV Energy brand, these services should help customers decrease their energy use and reduce the amount of energy the company must deliver, especially during times of peak energy use. These additional PowerShift offerings include incentives for new residential construction and the installation of energy-saving products in homes, along with electric vehicle charging and storage measures.
Additionally, NV Energy is proposing a trial program to bring the benefits of small-scale solar + storage systems to customers in low-income and underserved communities.
News item from NV Energy
