NTR’s Tessera Solar First To Receive State & Federal Government Approval
October 06 2010
Dublin, 6th October 2010: NTR’s solar business, Tessera Solar, announces today that its Californian based Imperial Valley Solar Project has become 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. The BLM’s decision follows last week’s California Energy Commission (CEC) project approval.
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.
“Tessera Solar has achieved a significant milestone today securing this joint approval for the Imperial Valley Solar Project in one of the more complex permitting environments in North America,” said Jim Barry, Chief Executive, NTR plc. “A fully permitted project with a utility power purchase agreement of this size creates significant value for Tessera Solar.”
The Imperial Valley Solar Project site was selected a number of years ago for its combination of high intensity sun and access to transmission lines. Over the past years, significant investment has been made in all aspects of preliminary engineering, environmental surveys and site preparation to be in a position to deliver grid-scale solar energy.
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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 2,000 people. www.ntrplc.com
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. www.tesserasolar.com
Issued on behalf of NTR plc by:
For Ireland - Heneghan PR, Nigel Heneghan / Rachel Watchorn: Tel + 353 1 660 7395
For USA - Brunswick Group, Oliver Philips / Dominic