Stirling Energy System’s SunCatcher Solar Concentrators to be Installed on 6571 Acres in California
Imperial Valley Solar Project First Utility Scale Project to Receive Both California Energy Commission and Bureau of Land Management Approval
Tessera Solar’s Imperial Valley Solar Project became the first utility scale solar power project to be approved by both the state and federal governments, with the issuance today of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Record of Decision (ROD). The BLM’s decision follows the recent California Energy Commission (CEC) project approval.
Tessera Solar worked in collaboration with major environmental organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, and Defenders of Wildlife, as well as other agencies to minimize the environmental effects of the project as originally proposed. The Imperial Valley Solar Project reached agreement this week with the environmental organizations on a suite of measures that are intended to ensure careful and considered phasing of this project.
This is the first agreement of its kind for a concentrating solar power plant.
The 709 MW Imperial Valley Solar Project is located on 6,571 acres in Imperial County, 14 miles west of El Centro, California. Phase 1 of the project will generate 300 MW of power under a 20‐year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with San Diego Gas & Electric. Upon completion of the Sunrise Powerlink, Phase 2 of the project will generate an additional 409 MW.
“We are extremely pleased with the CEC and BLM approval of the Imperial Valley Solar Project,” said Tessera Solar North America CEO Bob Lukefahr. “Tessera Solar would like to recognize the tremendous commitment and unprecedented delivery of the many people involved in the permitting process including the BLM, CEC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, other stakeholders, our consulting partners and our staff.”
About Tessera Solar North America
Tessera Solar North America is the exclusive developer, owner and operator of utility‐scale solar power facilities using the SunCatcher™ concentrating solar power system, manufactured by our sister company Stirling Energy Systems (SES). Tessera Solar is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona and Berkeley, California. NTR plc is the majority shareholder of Tessera Solar and SES.
About NTR plc
NTR plc, the international renewable energy group, builds and runs green energy and resource‐sustaining businesses. Founded in 1978, NTR has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy (wind, solar and ethanol) and sustainable waste management businesses in the USA and Europe.
The Group employs over 2000 people.
For more information, visit www.tesserasolar.com and www.ntrplc.com.
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