NRG Energy completes two-third of 290MW solar project in US

NRG Energy and MidAmerican Solar along with First Solar have announced completion of the two-third construction of the 290MW Agua Caliente solar photovoltaic (PV) project in US.

The Agua Caliente solar project, located in Yuma County, Arizona, uses thin-film modules supplied by First Solar to generate clean energy, and is currently delivering 200MW of electricity to the grid.

Upon completion, the project is expected to displace 5.5 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years.

The US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office has guaranteed a loan to support the Agua Caliente project.

NRG Solar CEO Tom Doyle said, "The Agua Caliente project sets the highest standard for what we can accomplish with today’s solar technology when combined with a strong public-private partnership at the national level."

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) under a long-term power purchase agreement has purchased all the electricity generated from the project.

MidAmerican Solar president Paul Caudill said it is an incredible milestone for the Agua Caliente project and solar energy sector.

"The working relationships we have with NRG Energy, First Solar and Pacific Gas & Electric allow for the construction process to continue in a safe and efficient manner," Caudill added.

PG&E Senior Energy Supply vice president John Conway said the company congratulates the developers for achieving this significant milestone at Aqua Caliente.

"Solar projects like this are helping PG&E provide its customers with some of the nation’s cleanest electric power, more than half of which comes from sources that are renewable or emit no greenhouse gases," Conway added.

First solar has designed the solar plant and is constructing, managing and operating it for the co-owners of the facility, NRG Energy and MidAmerican Solar.