BLM clears huge transmission link, solar-storage project in Nevada

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has awarded final approvals for utility NV Energy’s Greenlink West transmission line project and an up to 700-MW solar-plus-storage proposal by Arevia Power, both in Nevada.

The two greenlit schemes are expected to unlock up to 4.7 GW of clean energy in the Western US state, securing the power supply of almost five million homes, BLM said.

The Department of Interior (DOI) agency has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Greenlink West project, which NV Energy will build as part of a wider project set to facilitate the grid-connection of up to 8 GW of renewable energy capacity. The western portion of the plan will create an over 450-mile line running across private, state and federal lands to link Las Vegas and Reno. This section will enable 4 GW of renewables to be added to the grid.

Public comments are being sought on Greenlink North, the other portion of the huge transmission project. If approved, it will connect Ely in White Pine County and Yerington in Lyon County via a 210-mile line.

Meanwhile, BLM has also issued a ROD for the Libra solar-storage hybrid scheme, the largest one of its kind in Nevada. The proposal by Arevia Power, a renewables developer backed by private equity firm KKR, calls for the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) park on public lands in Mineral County with an estimated annual output of around 1.95 million MWh. The plant will be coupled with a four-hour battery of 700 MW/2,800 MWh.

The project has in place a power off-take deal with NV Energy.

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