Ormat starting work on 48 MW expansion of McGinness Hills geothermal plant
McGinness Hills plant in Nevada (Source: Ormat)
Alexander Richter
16 Mar 2018
With necessary permits in place, Ormat Technologies starts work on the 48 MW expansion of its McGinness Hills geothermal plant in the State of Nevada. It will be the largest geothermal plant in the state and on federal land in the U.S.
As locally reported, the expansion of the McGinness Hills geothermal power plant in the state of Nevada, will make it the largest geothermal power generation facility in the state and the largest located on federal land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The plant is operated by Ormat Technologies, and an analysis completed on the company’s proposal for an expansion to its McGinness Hills Geothermal Facility by the Bureau of Land Management earlier this year. With the decision of record, operations of the Phase III projects site near the existing facility can begin and Ormat expects to see construction to be completed in December 2018.
The expansion “demonstrates Ormat’s commitment to growing its global renewable portfolio by delivering cost-effective, firm and flexible geothermal projects that are coveted for their ability to maintain a reliable power supply,” said Paul Thomsen, executive director, government and regulatory affairs, for Ormat Technologies. “The MGH expansion will be the largest expansion completed by Ormat and will utilize our proven proprietary technology, and our capabilities as a vertically integrated company to develop a geothermal project from start to finish.”
Commercial production at the McGinness Hills Geothermal facility began in July 2012, and Ormat completed a second phase in 2015. The first two phases gave the complex a generating capacity of 86 megawatts, and power from phases I and II feeds the Nevada Energy grid. Once Phase III is completed, generating capacity is expected to increase to 134 MW. Phase III will contribute power to the Southern California Public Power Authority.
After the completion of Phase III, McGinness Hills will include 15 production wells at about 2,000-3,600 feet deep producing water at temperatures ranging from 330-337 degrees. The site will contain eight Ormat Energy Converters and seven injection wells. One hundred percent of the geothermal fluid is reinjected into the reservoir.
The company’s capital investment for all three phase is estimated to total about $600 million.
Over the next 20 years, the entire complex is expected to contribute $35 million in property and use taxes and $60 million in federal royalties, with $30 million going to the State of Nevada, $15 million going to Lander County, and $15 million going to the federal treasury, according to an Ormat statement.
Source: Elko Daily
