The US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has given the go ahead for two major renewables projects on public lands that together will generate enough power for around 150,000 homes.

The first is the 300 MW Sonoran solar photovoltaic project in Arizona, which is being developed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources.

The other, the 186 MW Tule Wind project being developed by a subsidiary of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola Renewables in California, is the first of five proposed wind developments for public lands in the state.

The Tule wind energy facility will be constructed in the McCain Valley, around 70 miles east of San Diego, and will provide enough power for around 60,000 homes.

Over the last two years, the Department of Interior (DOI) has approved 25 major renewable projects – 15 solar developments, three wind farms and seven geothermal plants – totalling some 6200 MW.

Salazar also announced the go ahead for the next steps in developing the mid-Atlantic wind energy transmission line, which will link up to 7000 MW of offshore wind power off the coast of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

Meanwhile, wind energy developer First Wind has announced that it has raised $210 million in financing to allow its subsidiary Palouse Wind to move ahead with its 105 MW Palouse wind project in Whitman County, Washington in the northwest US.

The development of 58 Vestas’ 1.8 MW wind turbines, which started construction in October, will produce enough power for around 30,000 local homes.

For further information:
www.doi.gov/
www.nexteraenergy.com/
www.TuleWind.com
www.iberdrolarenewables.us/
www.firstwind.com

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