US Interior department approves plan for the largest solar project in U.S. history –

This would be the 8th largest solar project in the world

The
Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced
the approval of a proposal to construct and operate the largest solar project
in U.S. history.

U.S.
Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision
(ROD) for Solar Partners XI, LLC to construct a 690-MW photovoltaic (PV) solar
electric generating facility and ancillary facilities near Las Vegas.

The
estimated $1 billion Gemini Solar Project could be the eighth-largest power
facility in the world once completed.

The project
will include a 34.5 kV overhead and underground collector lines, a 2-acre
(0.8-hectare) operation and maintenance facility, three substations, internal
access roads, access roads along generation tie-lines, a perimeter road,
perimeter fencing, water storage tanks for fire protection, drainage control
features, a potential on-site water well or a new water pipeline and
improvements to the existing NV Energy facilities to support interconnection.

Also, a
380-MW/1400MWh battery system will enable the project to store energy.

The project
will facilitate infrastructure investments that aim to create jobs and economic
activity as well as increase renewable energy to meet Federal and state energy
goals, according to the press release.

The on-site
construction workforce is anticipated to average 500 to 700 construction
workers, with a peak of 900 workers. The first phase of the multi-phased
project could begin in 2021 with completion as early as 2022. Federal revenues
are expected to be $3 million annually to the U.S. Treasury.

The BLM and
Solar Partners XI, LLC have also developed measures to avoid, minimize and
mitigate impacts of other resources including visual resources, cultural and
tribal resources, recreation access and air quality.

“Our economic resurgence will rely on getting America back to work, and this project delivers on that objective,” said Secretary Bernhardt.

“This action is about getting Americans back to work, strengthening communities and promoting investment in American energy,” said Casey Hammond, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Exercising the Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.

“Despite the challenges of the coronavirus, we’re pleased to see that Nevada will soon be home to one of the biggest solar projects in the world,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association.