EIA: Four States Increase Renewables Portfolio Standards in First-Half 2019

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--According to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), four states and the District of Columbia have increased their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) goals since the start of 2019. Nevada, Maryland, Washington and New Mexico have all increased their goals to generate a certain amount of power from renewables by a specified date. Industrial Info is tracking more than $35 billion in active renewable energy projects in these four states.

New Mexico increased its renewable energy goals to target 100% of electricity sales from carbon-free generation from investor-owned utilities to 100% by 2045, followed by cooperative utilities in 2050. Despite the state's sunny locale, wind energy projects dominate the renewable scene in New Mexico. Among the state's wind projects is Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (Houston, Texas) planned Great Divide Windfarm near Lordsburg. The 250-megawatt (MW) facility will be built on 23,000 acres and will use 100 General Electric (NYSE:GE) wind turbine generators. Construction on the $412 million project is expected to kick in the first half of next year, for completion in late 2021. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Despite wind's dominance, New Mexico does have its share of planned solar power projects. Among these is Invenergy LLC's (Chicago, Illinois) 220-MW Tip Top solar energy center near Jal. The facility will use 700,000 crystalline silicon solar panels on a single-axis tracking system. Construction could begin in early 2022 and be completed later that year. The project has an estimated total investment value (TIV) of $230 million. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Nevada increased its RPS goal to 50% of sales from renewable generation by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Solar projects dominate the state's planned projects. Among Nevada's planned solar projects is First Solar Incorporated's (NASDAQ:FSLR) (Tempe, Arizona) Red Flats Lands photovoltaic solar farm near Moapa. The initial 200 MW of generating capacity is the first phase of a planned multi-phase project, eventually totaling 500 MW. The facility will use First Solar's Series 6 solar panels. Construction is set to kick off in the first half of next year, for completion by the end of 2021. The project has an estimated TIV of $400 million. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Washington increased its RPS target to 100% of sales from carbon-neutral generation by 2045. Washington is a leading generator of hydroelectric power, and among the state's hydro projects is the refurbishment of units 1 through 10 at the 693-MW Wells Hydropower Station near Pateros. Included in the project are generator rewinds to extend the plant's reliability and service life. The project kicked off in 2008 and is expected to be completed next year. Toshiba Americas Energy Systems (Englewood, Colorado) is providing engineering and construction services. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Washington also has its share of wind energy projects. Among the projects that are underway is PacifiCorp's (Portland, Oregon) repowering of the 156-MW Marengo I Windfarm near Dayton. The project entails upgrading 78 Vestas turbine generators by replacing older rotors and blades. The project kicked off in second-quarter 2019 and is expected to be completed in early 2020. Wanzek Construction Incorporated (Coral Gables, Florida) is providing engineering, procurement and construction. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Solar energy leads the renewables sector in Maryland, which last month increased its RPS target to 50% of electricity sales from renewable generation by 2030. Among the state's planned solar projects is Liberty Power's (Oakville, Ontario) Phase II addition at its Great Bay solar project in Princess Anne. The project will add 75 MW of photovoltaic panels on a fixed-tilt racking system. Construction on the $123.8 million project is expected to kick off in fourth-quarter 2019 and be completed the following summer. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

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