The US Department of Interior (DOI) has approved three major renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of around 520MW in the country.
According to DOI, the 350MW Midland Solar Energy Project and the 70MW New York Canyon Geothermal Project are located in Nevada, and the 100MW Quartzsite Solar Energy Project is located in Arizona.
Commenting on the approval, DOI Secretary Sally Jewell said that these projects showcase the Obama Administration’s commitment to expand domestic energy production and diversify the nation’s energy portfolio.
"Today’s approvals will help bolster rural economies by generating good jobs and reliable power and advance our national energy security," added Jewell.
The Quartzsite Solar Project, proposed by Quartzsite Solar Energy, a subsidiary of Solar Reserve, employs concentrating solar ‘power tower’ technology to drive steam turbine generators with heliostats.
It is anticipated to create 438 construction jobs and 47 full-time operations and maintenance jobs.
The Midland Solar Project, proposed by Boulder Solar Power, will generate a peak construction workforce of about 350 employees and around 10 permanent jobs, while the New York Canyon Geothermal Project and electrical transmission facility will be built by TGP Dixie Development, a subsidiary of TerraGen Power and will create an estimated 150 peak construction jobs and 16 full- and part-time operational jobs.
These renewable projects are expected to generate clean electricity, enough to power around 200,000 homes.
The approval for these projects has been made as part of President Obama’s energy strategy.