In evidentiary hearings that begin before the California Energy Commission (CEC), Genesis Solar plans to formally accept the dry-cooling recommendation of the CEC staff.

Although wet-cooled solar thermal projects use substantially less water than an equally sized agricultural operation, by switching to the dry-cooling alternative, the project will reduce its groundwater use by a factor of eight, from 1,600 acre-feet to 200 acre-feet annually.

Genesis Solar believes that this will allow the CEC to deem the project to be in compliance with state water policies, and the remaining water use will have less than significant impacts on biology and water resources.

Dry cooling is an important part of the power generation process whereby fans blow air over a closed radiator system, condensing steam inside of the radiator back into water that is then recirculated back into the power generation process.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Our bold and innovative vision for California has made us a pioneer in renewable energy, green jobs and environmental protection and, as a result, we are seeing a clean energy revolution in California.

The announcement by NextEra Energy Resources is welcome news for our state as it will help to minimize the impact on our precious water resources, increase our renewable energy sources and lead to hundreds of needed jobs for our residents."

"The Genesis Solar Project will create jobs and strengthen our country's energy security without producing harmful emissions," said Mitch Davidson, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. "With this announcement, we are taking additional steps to minimize the impact on California's water resources and ensuring good paying jobs for Californians."

"Expected to employ more than 1,000 construction workers and infuse $165 million into the local economy, the Genesis Solar Project arrives at a time when economic development and renewable energy projects are so vitally needed," said Riverside County, California Supervisor John J. Benoit.

"As this project demonstrates, Eastern Riverside County is ideally positioned to lead the nation toward a brighter, cleaner future."

V. John White, executive director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies said, "California projects are setting the global standard for best practices in solar thermal development. The Genesis Solar Project and NextEra Energy Resources took an important step and we look forward to continuing to work with them on this project."

"Using as little water as possible and using it efficiently and effectively is the central theme of life in our desert. NextEra Energy Resources' switch from wet to dry cooling with its Genesis Solar Project near Desert Center appropriately recognizes this reality and is to be applauded," said Buford A. Crites, former chairman, Energy and Environment, Coachella Valley Association of Governments.

Creating jobs

NextEra Energy Resources is seeking to maximize the employment of local residents in cooperation with the construction trade unions to assemble, install and construct the solar facility. NextEra Energy Resources plans to start construction on the project late in 2010 with commercial operations expected to begin approximately 30 months later.

The project is expected to employ more than 1,000 workers during the peak of the 30-month construction period of the project. The estimated construction payroll is expected to be nearly $165 million. The contracts for construction will be awarded through a competitive bidding process.

Mike McCarron, executive secretary-treasurer of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, said, "We're looking forward to working with local communities, developers and contractors to provide a skilled workforce that will make California a world leader in renewable energy. It will not only put people to work, it will help build a better future for us all."

Meeting customer needs

The proposed Genesis Solar Project will be located on an approximate 1,800-acre site between Desert Center and Blythe, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Riverside County, California. The project will be comprised of two 125-megawatt units.

Once both units are fully operational, the project is expected to produce approximately 560 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year. This is equal to the annual usage of more than 80,000 homes. With dry cooling, the plants' water consumption will be equivalent to the water used by only 525 of these households.

All of the power from the Genesis Solar Project will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under a long-term contract. Once complete, this project will reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide by approximately 330,000 tons per year, when compared to a high-efficiency natural gas plant.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates this is the equivalent of removing about 83,000 passenger vehicles from the road each year.

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