US approves three renewable energy projects totaling 520MW

The US federal government has approved the development of three renewable energy projects totaling energy capacity of 520MW on government lands in Nevada and Arizona.

The three projects will comprise two solar farms and one geothermal project, producing power to cater to 200,000 homes, Bloomberg reported citing the US Interior Department.

The projects are said to be a part of Obama administration’s initiative to boost renewable energy sector by promoting solar, wind and geothermal projects on federal lands.

The 100MW Quartzsite solar project in La Paz County, Arizona is being developed by SolarReserve using mirrors to divert the sun’s rays onto a boiler, to generate steam to drive a turbine.

Second project is 70MW New York Canyon geothermal project in Pershing County, Nevada, which is being built by Terra-Gen Power in a bid to tap underground heat to produce electricity.

Korea Electric Power will develop the third project, 350MW Midland solar plant near Boulder City, Nevada, using traditional photovoltaic panels to produce power.

In addition, the department has also given its nod for the construction of transmission facilities for the solar project near Boulder City, Nevada.

Te US Interior Department is also planning to review 15 renewable energy proposals in 2013 and 2014.

Under this programme, the government has increased the renewable energy capacity by two-fold over last four years.

Since 2009, the agency has granted permissions to develop 45 solar, wind and geothermal facilities on government land accounting for a total capacity of more than 12,500MW, with capacity to power to 4.4 million homes.