USA, Nevada:

Ormat to Double Output at McGinness Hills Geothermal Plant (reNews)

McGinness Hills geothermal plant (Courtesy Ormat)

Ormat Technologies has paved the way for a 30 MWe expansion of its McGinness Hills geothermal plant in Nevada by clinching an amendment to its existing power purchase agreement.

An agreement signed with NV Energy allows Ormat to sell 63.7 MWe from the complex in Lander County. A new rate of $85.58/MWh with a 1% annual escalator will be set for the entire facility once Phase 2 enters commercial operation.

“The favorable performance of the reservoir and the PPA amendment give Ormat the ability to further expand this geothermal site,” said Ormat president Yoram Bronicki.

“Phase 1 of our McGinness Hills geothermal power plant has been in commercial operation since June 2012 and the strength of the reservoir allowed the power plant to consistently produce more energy than was contracted in the original PPA.”

The move is subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.