According to the press release, “The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the construction of BrightSource Energy Inc.’s Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System. The approval brings BrightSource, a developer of utility-scale solar thermal power plants, one major step closer to commencing construction of the 370 nominal (392 gross) megawatt project. When constructed, Ivanpah will nearly double the amount of solar thermal electricity produced in the United States today.
“We’re thankful for the Commission’s approval of the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, and for the thorough review it has received from state and federal agencies,” said John Woolard, president and CEO of BrightSource Energy. “With the PG&E and Southern California Edison contracts, a conditional US Department of Energy loan guarantee and CEC permit, the Ivanpah project is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the world-leading renewable energy standards Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Legislature have established for the state, and to bring good jobs to the California’s High Desert community. We look forward to commencing construction on Ivanpah and setting a model for environmentally-responsible utility-scale solar projects.”
The Ivanpah project is also being reviewed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is expected to issue its final Record of Decision in the coming weeks. BrightSource expects to have all of the necessary permits to commence construction in fall 2010.
In February 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded BrightSource Energy $1.37 billion in conditional loan guarantees to support the financing of the Ivanpah project.”
Source: Press Release
