With nearly 4,000 MW of new solar and energy storage resources in Nevada expected to be in service by 2023 and longer-term policy goals that will transform the state's power generation sector, NV Energy Inc. in July proposed the construction of more than $1 billion of new high-voltage transmission infrastructure.

The Greenlink project, with nearly 600 miles of 525-kV lines, a substation and related 345-kV lines, could take a decade to build but would serve several purposes, NV Energy's two utility subsidiaries, known legally as Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co., said July 20 in a joint application to state regulators that, if approved, would amend their 2018 integrated resource plan.

The proposal would increase power import capability to the companies' northern Nevada service territory, particularly around Reno, improve overall reliability, and improve interconnections with other states, where they could access wind and hydro resources, the companies said.

"These projects are not only necessary but position the companies, their customers, and the state to properly address the challenges and goals of the future," the NV Energy utilities said in the plan.

In 2019, Nevada increased its renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2030 and included a goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. In March, state regulators directed NV Energy to have 1,000 MW of energy storage resources under contract by 2030.

NV Energy, owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, might get there sooner. Since 2018, the NV Energy utilities have contracted for 2,216 MW of solar coupled with 1,016 MW of planned energy storage and another 400 MW of stand-alone solar expected online by 2023, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data as of July 24. The company intends to own another 150 MW of solar and 100 MW storage resources, adding a total of 2,769 MW of solar and 1,116 MW of storage.

The company's current generating capacity, including owned and contracted resources, totals 8,276 MW, about three-quarters of which is fueled by natural gas. NV Energy owns a 50% interest in the 522-MW coal-fired North Valmy plant in Humboldt County in northern Nevada, which is due to be shut down by the end of 2025.

Plant-sited storage

In the July application, NV Energy described three new solar-plus-storage projects. One, the 150-MW Dry Lake Solar paired with 100 MW of storage, NV Energy plans to own and operate. The utility intends to purchase the output of the 128-MW Boulder Solar III Plus Battery Storage project, which includes 58 MW of storage under a 12-year contract. Developer EDF Renewables Inc. signed a 22-year agreement with NV Energy for 200 MW from the Chuckwalla Solar project, which is paired with 180 MW of storage.

In 2019, NV Energy selected three other solar-plus-storage projects as part of a competitive solicitation launched in 2018. The largest of the three is the 690-MW Gemini Solar + Battery Storage Project, paired with 380 MW of storage, in Clark County, Nev.

The Silver State is ahead of its interim renewable energy targets. When including older hydro projects such as the Hoover Dam, the state generated about 26.3% of its in-state power from renewable sources, up from 19% in 2015, according to Market Intelligence data.

The Greenlink project would support compliance with the state's accelerated target, NV Energy said in the July application. If state regulators approve the transmission project, NV Energy expects to start building this year and be complete by 2031.