NV Energy, NextLight Renewable Power announce 25-year PPA for solar project

LAS VEGAS, USA: NV Energy and NextLight Renewable Power, LLC, have announced a 25-year contract for the purchase and sale of energy to be produced at NextLight’s 50 MW Silver State Solar Power photovoltaic facility near Primm, Nevada.

Silver State Solar Power is located on Bureau of Land Management land, and will interconnect at NV Energy’s Bighorn substation adjacent to the project site. The project will use solar photovoltaic technology to generate clean, emissions-free energy. Slated to commence construction as early as December 2010, the project will employ up to 230 workers during construction and is targeted for initial energy deliveries in May 2011.

NV Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Yackira said the addition of a significant amount of solar resources is very important to the company and its customers, as it complies with the Nevada Renewable Energy Act that requires 6 percent of the total renewable energy credits to come from solar resources. “We are pleased to be part of NextLight’s project and taking another step forward in utilizing the abundant solar resources in our state for the benefit of our customers,” he said.

Frank De Rosa, NextLight’s CEO, stated: “NV Energy is a key strategic partner in the region and has the vision to bring renewable energy into the mainstream of electricity generation. Southern Nevada has all of the attributes necessary to make this a successful solar project: suitable land, superior insolation, ready access to transmission, a skilled workforce and a business-friendly climate.”

The Silver State Solar Power project is one of more than 41 proposed or existing renewable energy facilities that are benefiting NV Energy customers in Nevada. NV Energy currently has more than 1,200 megawatts of geothermal, solar, biomass, waste-heat recovery and wind energy under contract that are either in commercial operation or in the project development stage.

The specific terms of the NextLight power purchase agreement were not disclosed. The long-term agreement stems from NV Energy’s 2009 Request for Proposals for renewable energy and requires approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.