NV Energy says it topped state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard in 2014

CARSON CITY — NV Energy’s report on renewable energy shows that the utility has exceeded the state’s 18 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard requirement for 2014, which is based on total energy sales.

The company picked Earth Day to announce the findings in its report filed with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission earlier this month.

Specifically, NV Energy’s Northern Nevada operating company achieved a 33.6 percent renewable energy and renewable energy credit level, and Southern Nevada achieved a 20.2 percent renewable portfolio standard.

Two large solar projects began commercial operation in 2014, which enhanced the company’s renewable energy portfolio last year. Those two projects include the 20-megawatt Mountain View solar array north of Las Vegas and the 17.5-megawatt Searchlight Solar project near Searchlight. Combined, those two projects can provide enough power to serve more than 22,000 homes.

“We are also optimistic that 2015 will be a strong renewable energy growth year for NV Energy,” said Stacey Kusters, the company’s vice president of renewable energy and origination.

The 48-megawatt expansion at the McGinness Hills Geothermal plant came online in February; the 110-megawatt Crescent Dunes Solar project near Tonopah is expected to be operational mid-summer; and the NV Energy-owned 15-megawatt Nellis Solar Array II project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Additionally, NV Energy has issued two requests for proposals for up to 200 megawatts of incremental renewable energy in Nevada.

“This will provide energy diversification at a time of decreasing solar costs and new jobs in Nevada to further economic growth in the state,” Kusters said.

The proposals selected through these requests for proposals will be presented to the Public Utilities Commission for approval later this year, with the expectation that both projects will be built before the end of 2016.