Nevada Geothermal Power (NGP), an emerging renewable energy developer focused on producing clean, efficient and sustainable geothermal electric power from high temperature geothermal resources in the United States, has completed work to install mechanical, electrical and metering systems for three Energy Convertors at its Blue Mountain geothermal power plant in Nevada (US). The cooling tower, control building, fire protection, safety systems and site grading are also ready for operation.
Independently, NGP has also completed a 21-mile power line interconnection to the Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) power grid, the production and injection well field, local power distribution system, and microwave communication system. The power line interconnection was energised on 3 August 2009 to enable power from SPPC to be back fed to test numerous power plant electrical components, cooling tower fan motors and production well pumps. The first of several ground water wells has been commissioned and the water supply pipeline and cooling tower is operational.
Plant commissioning of the phase 1 development at Blue Mountain has commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2009, while NPG plans to turn the plant on in October 2009 with approximately 28-30 MW (net) of firm output capacity. After start up, two widely-spaced make-up wells are planned, replacing two existing shallow injectors, to allow sustainable plant output to be increased to 40 MW (net). In 2010, NGP will commence further investigations aimed at confirming the further build out potential within the 17 square mile lease area.
"NGP has achieved an enormous milestone with the completion of the construction of the 49.5 MW Blue Mountain 'Faulkner 1' power plant. Our experienced management team, industry relationships, planned additional development projects and future new acquisitions will enable NGP to embark on an exciting program of scalable growth," stated Brian Fairbank, President & CEO.
NGP currently owns a 100% leasehold interest in four properties: Blue Mountain, Pumpernickel, and Black Warrior (all of which are ideally situated in Nevada), and Crump Geyser in Oregon. These properties, which are at different levels of exploration and development, are estimated to have the potential for the generation of over 200 MW of geothermal power.
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