The power plant has been in full operation since 15 June 2012 and since then the renewable electricity has been sold to NV Energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement at 50% of the full energy price.
Full energy prices are expected to be paid upon NV Energy’s approval of the commercial operation date (COD).
With the addition of McGinness Hills, Ormat’s total generating capacity grows to 586 MW.
Ormat president and chief operating officer Yoram Bronicki said McGinness Hills allows the company to develop a successful greenfield project categorized as a blind system.
"Blind geothermal systems, defined by a lack of surface hot springs or fumaroles, are the future of geothermal energy growth in the western United States," Bronicki added.
"Today’s announcement, coupled with the opening earlier this year of the 18 MW (net capacity) Tuscarora power plant, reinforces Ormat’s commitment to expanding the renewable energy market across the state of Nevada and throughout the world."
The power plant employs the Ormat Energy Converter, a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electrical energy.
