US auctions solar energy projects in Nevada

The US Department of Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) auction for utility-scale solar energy development in Nevada has generated in $105.15 million in high bids.

The auction of four parcels across 23,675 acres in the Amargosa Desert – the highest-yielding onshore renewable energy auction in the agency’s history – could support nearly 3 gigawatts of renewable energy to the electrical grid.

‘The technological advances, increased interest, cost effectiveness, and tremendous economic potential make these projects a reliable path for diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio,’ said (BLM) Secretary Deb Haaland.

The Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone was one of 17 that the BLM initially identified in a 2012 blueprint on solar energy development in six western states. The BLM is considering adding more states and identifying new or expanded areas for solar development.

The BLM also recently announced a proposed update of its renewable energy regulations to promote the development of solar energy on public lands, including by reducing fees for projects by around 80%, facilitating development in priority areas by streamlining review of applications, and delivering greater certainty for the private sector.

NV Energy placed the high bids for both leases auctioned in the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone. Parcel A includes 3775 acres with a high bid of $35.25 million, and Parcel B includes 3451 acres with a high bid of $46.6 million.

Provisional preferred applicants were identified for the two parcels auctioned outside the solar energy zone. NextEra Energy Resources placed the high bid of $21 million for rights to submit a solar energy development proposal for a 10,129-acre parcel (Parcel 1) and Leeward Renewable Energy placed the high bid of $2.3 million to submit a solar energy development proposal on a 6320-acre parcel (Parcel 2).

The BLM is currently processing 74 utility-scale onshore clean energy projects proposed on public lands in the western United States. This includes solar, wind and geothermal projects, as well as interconnected gen-tie lines that are vital to clean energy projects proposed on non-federal land. These projects have the combined potential to add more than 37,000 MW of renewable energy to the western electric grid. The BLM is also reviewing more than 150 applications for solar and wind development, as well as 51 applications for wind and solar energy testing.