Today NV Energy filed for approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) a comprehensive power generation plan for southern Nevada.  This plan implements the goals of Senate Bill 123.

“This resource plan is very cost competitive and will move NV Energy toward a more balanced and less carbon intense power generation portfolio while creating significant economic benefits for Nevada,” said Paul Caudill, NV Energy President. Caudill added, “The plan aligns with our goal to provide predictable, stable rates for customers, reduces the impact our operating activities have on the environment, and will create jobs in Nevada.”

NV Energy plans to retire its Reid Gardner coal-fired units 1, 2 and 3 in 2014 and the Reid Gardner coal unit 4 in 2017. The company will also eliminate its ownership interest in the Navajo Generating Station in 2019.  To partially replace the coal generation to be retired or eliminated, NV Energy plans to acquire both the 274 megawatt natural gas-fired Las Vegas Cogeneration units, owned by Las Vegas Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Las Vegas Cogeneration II, LLC, and the 222 megawatt natural gas-fired Sun-Peak Generating Facility. The Sun-Peak facility is owned by Nevada Sun-Peak Limited Partnership.

“Both facilities, which are currently operating in southern Nevada, provide flexibility and allow NV Energy to continue to provide the reliable service that our customers expect,” Caudill said.

NV Energy proposes to acquire two solar photovoltaic projects in southern Nevada. With PUCN approval and completion of final contracts, NV Energy will acquire and own the 200 megawatt Moapa Solar Project. RES Americas developed and will construct the project, which is located north of Las Vegas. The company will also acquire and own the 15 megawatt Nellis Air Force Base Solar Array II.

“Importantly, by acquiring these operating natural gas-fired facilities we keep existing jobs in Nevada,” said Caudill. “And we estimate that the construction of the Moapa Solar Project, which is scheduled to start following regulatory approval later this year, will create a significant number of construction jobs and contribute other positive impacts to the local economy.”

NV Energy is also requesting permission to begin permitting up to 4,000 acres of land adjacent to its Harry Allen Generating Station north of Las Vegas for solar development.  The company also seeks permission to issue competitive solicitations for three separate 100 megawatt renewable energy proposals, one each in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

NV Energy, Inc. provides a wide range of energy services to 1.3 million customers throughout Nevada and nearly 40 million tourists annually.  NV Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.