Arizona Public Service Co. to Build 280 Megawatt Concentrating Solar Power Plant

[jpak]

http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR1022.htm

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) today announced plans for one of the world’s largest solar facilities – a 280-megawatt concentrating solar power (CSP) plant to be built 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, near Gila Bend, Arizona. The Solana Generating Station will produce enough energy to serve 70,000 APS customers when operating at full capacity.

The plant will be built by Abengoa Solar Inc., and is scheduled to provide renewable energy beginning in 2011. Spanish for “sunny place,” Solana will not emit greenhouse gases and will provide APS with more solar electricity per customer than any utility in the U.S. The facility also would be the largest solar power plant in the world if in operation today.

“APS is committed to making Arizona the solar capital of the world and bringing affordable renewable energy to all our customers,” said APS President Don Brandt. “The Arizona Corporation Commission has challenged Arizona utilities to be leaders in renewable energy, and we are responding aggressively.”

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano praised APS today at an event announcing plans for the project. “This is a major milestone for Arizona in our efforts to increase the amount of renewable energy available in the United States,” the Governor said. “Arizona is leading the way in protecting our world for future generations through combating climate change, fighting for air quality and much more. This plant will offer Arizonans a clean and efficient source of energy.”

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[OKIsItJustMe]

1. With more to come

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=134677&mesg_id=134677

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Now comes the latest reminder that these big solar facilities may become more than a niche source of the nation’s electricity. On Feb. 21, Arizona Public Service announced plans for a 280 MW powerplant to be built 70 miles southwest of Phoenix. “This will be one of many solar plants,” predicts Don Brandt, president of Arizona Public Service. “We’ll look back on this as one of the turning points.”

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