The new projects include Invenergy’s Harry Allen Solar Energy Center, First Solar’s Playa Solar Project, and NV Energy’s Dry Lake Solar Energy Center.
These plants will generate electricity to serve around 132,000 homes annually.
The firms were the successful bidders to a Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) competitive auction held last year. The auction is a part of the competitive leasing process under the Western Solar Plan terms, for solar energy zones.
The Western Solar Plan will develop 19 solar energy zones, which have potential to produce up to 27GW.
US Interior secretary Sally Jewell said: "Through thoughtful planning and upfront public participation, these solar projects demonstrate we can reduce permitting times, create certainty for energy developers, and achieve better outcomes for communities and the environment."
The President’s Climate Action Plan aims to reduce carbon pollution, increase energy efficiency, expand renewable and other low-carbon energy sources, and boost resilience to extreme weather and other climate impacts.
In line with this plan, the Interior Department was directed to approve at least 20,000MW renewable energy capacity by 2020.
