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Kick-start of construction of Gradient Resources Patua geothermal plant in Nevada

Kick-start of construction of Gradient Resources Patua geothermal plant in Nevada Patua geothermal power project site of Gradient Resources, Nevada (source: company)
Alexander Richter 22 Aug 2011

Gradient Resources holds groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction of its US$300 million Patua geothermal power plant project in Nevada.

The U.S. based developer Gradient Resources recently held a groundbreaking event for this US$300 million geothermal power plant project, called Patua, in Nevada.

A local article describes what potential economic impact the project could have for the region.

The company says that “250 Nevada companies are expected to play some role in the development of the Patua Plant during the next 16 months.

At the peak of construction, about 170 people are expected to be employed on the project. Once construction is complete, 32 people will work in operations and maintenance positions, and the plant’s total payroll is estimated at $2.5 million.

Benham Constructors LLC, a design-build subsidiary of Science Applications International Corp. of McLean, Va., will provide engineering, procurement and construction services at the plant. Northern Nevada Excavating Inc. of Sparks began dirt work at the site about two weeks ago.  TAS Energy Inc. of Houston will provide technology support.

For executives of Gradient, last week’s groundbreaking marked the culmination of a two-decade effort to identify promising geothermal resources and assemble the financing to bring a geothermal generation project to reality.

The 60-megawatt Patua plant will generate roughly enough power to supply roughly 36,000 homes. The plant’s energy production will be sold to Sacramento Municipal Utility District. It’s expected to come on line in late 2012.

Craig Mataczynski, chief executive officer of Gradient Resources, said the deal to sell the plant’s power to customers in California spotlights one of the most critical needs facing the geothermal industry today — development of improved transmission lines between Nevada’s resources and power-hungry California cities.

The industry’s second big need, he said, is consistent legislation so that geothermal companies know what incentives will be available over the long-term for development of renewable-energy projects.

The Patua plant is located on a combination of private and federal lands. Formerly known as Vulcan Power, Gradient moves its corporate headquarters to Reno’s South Meadows from Bend, Ore., last August.”

Source: Northern Nevada Business Weekly