The 690 MW of photovoltaic solar and 380 MW of battery energy storage is one of the largest and most sophisticated solar and storage projects ever constructed. It is being developed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Moapa Band of Paiutes approximately 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
The showcase event offered a unique opportunity to visit a project site during construction and get a ground-level look at the $1.2 billion infrastructure investment on federally owned land. The event was attended by over 150 guests from the industry and government and featured keynote speakers included Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak; David Scaysbrook, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners; Christine Harada, Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improving Steering Council; Doug Cannon, President and CEO of NV Energy; and Ty Daul, Chief Executive Officer of Primergy Solar.
“Solar is Nevada’s leading renewable energy resource, and its development is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving our Renewable Portfolio Standard of 50 percent clean energy by 2030” said Governor Sisolak. “The Gemini Solar + Storage Project is a great example of the partnerships that are possible between state, local and federal government, Tribal nations, environmental advocates and private industry.”
The Gemini Showcase event served as a preview of how public and private sectors can work collaboratively to accelerate the clean energy transition. The project itself – with its complex management and partnership components – serves as a roadmap for future solar development across the country, which will be fuelled by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
“This project is the very definition of what President Biden envisions as he works to get the country to 100 percent clean electricity by 2035” added Permitting Council Executive Director Christine Harada. “Tribal engagement is a pillar of the work we do at the Permitting Council, and the level of coordination seen here is a model for the rest of the country.”
Earlier this year, Primergy completed a comprehensive and detailed procurement process and selected equipment suppliers and construction partners for the project. Primergy announced they selected Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., limited (CATL) as the sole battery supplier, IHI Terrasun as the battery storage integrator, Kiewit Power Constructors Co. as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner and Maxeon Solar Technologies as the high-efficiency bifacial solar module provider.
“The Gemini Solar + Storage project is a big deal by any measure and for all parties involved” said David Scaysbrook, managing partner of Quinbrook. “We are grateful for our partners who have joined us on this journey; from APG who together with Quinbrook, will fund Gemini through construction and into its long-term ownership and operations phase. Also to NV Energy, who is leading the country in its boldness to sponsor a project of this scale and size and to the Federal agencies who efficiently permitted Gemini through the Fast 41 program in record time.”
The project is being constructed in the Mojave Desert across approximately 6,500 acres of federal land that during peak production will produce enough clean electricity to power the entire city of Las Vegas. During the construction phase, Gemini is expected to create approximately 1,000 local jobs, which will be sourced through union participation.
Image: Primergy Solar’s Gemini Showcase featured speakers included Doug Cannon, President and CEO of NV Energy; David Scaysbrook, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners; Christine Harada, Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improving Steering Council; Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak; Ty Daul, Chief Executive Officer of Primergy Solar; and tribal elder LaMar Anderson of the Moapa Band of Piautes.
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