Geothermal Projects

Ormat's Steamboat geothermal complex near Reno

What is Geothermal Power?

Many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy -- the heat from the earth.

This heat can be drawn from several sources, including hot water or steam reservoirs deep in the Earth, geothermal reservoirs near the Earth's surface, and the shallow ground near the Earth's surface that maintains a relatively constant temperature of 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

This variety of geothermal resources allows them to be used on both large and small scales. A utility can use the hot water and steam from reservoirs to drive generators and produce electricity for its customers.

Other applications apply the heat produced from geothermal activity directly to various uses in buildings, roads, agriculture, and industrial plants.

Still others use the heat directly from the ground to provide heating and cooling in homes and other buildings.

Nevada is ranked first nationally in installed geothermal energy capacity on a per-person basis.

We signed our first geothermal energy agreement in 1983, and our customers are now benefiting from more than 315 megawatts of geothermal energy capacity.  In fact, excluding energy efficiency and conservation credits, approximately 60 percent of all of our renewable energy credits come from geothermal resources.  With our current power purchase agreements, our customers will soon be benefiting from nearly 565 megawatts of geothermal energy.

Geothermal power is a premium renewable power source because it provides reliable, around-the-clock power with no specific ties to fluctuating fuel costs.

NV Energy Geothermal Projects

Beowawe Power – 17.7 megawatts
Located in Eureka County, NV, the Beowawe geothermal power station is owned by Terra-Gen Power and started producing energy in 2006.

Brady Geothermal – 24.0 megawatts
Located in Churchill County northeast of Fernley, NV, Brady Geothermal Power Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and started producing energy in 1992.

Carson Lake Basin Project – 62 megawatts
In the development stage, the Carson Lake Basin project is owned by Vulcan Power Co. and located near Fallon in Churchill County, NV  A Power Purchase Agreement has received regulatory approval.

Carson Lake Geothermal Project – 31.5 megawatts
In the development stage, the Carson Lake Geothermal Project is being developed by Ormat Technologies in Churchill County near Fallon, NV  NV Energy has a joint ownership agreement that will enable it to purchase a 50 percent interest in Carson Lake Geothermal.

Clayton Valley 1 Project – 53.5 megawatts
In the development stage, the Clayton Valley project is being developed by Ram Power Corp. and located in Eureka County southwest of Tonopah, NV  The project has received regulatory approval and is working to be on line in 2014.

Desert Peak 2 Geothermal Power – 19 megawatts
Located in Churchill County, NV, the Desert Peak geothermal power station is owned by Ormat Technologies and started producing energy in 2007.

Faulkner 1 Geothermal Power Plant – 49.5 megawatts
Located in Humboldt County near Blue Mountain, NV, the Faulkner 1 geothermal power station is owned by Nevada Geothermal Power Company.  It started producing energy for NV Energy customers in 2009.

Galena 2 Geothermal Power Plant – 13 megawatts
Located in Washoe County south of Reno near Steamboat, NV, the Galena 2 geothermal power station is owned by Ormat Technologies and started producing energy in 2007.

Galena 3 Geothermal Power Plant – 26.5 megawatts
Located in Washoe County south of Reno near Steamboat, NV, the Galena3 geothermal power station is owned by Ormat Technologies and started producing energy in 2008.

Homestretch 1/2/3 Geothermal Power Plant – 2.1 megawatts
Located in Lyon County north of Yerington, NV, the three small Homestretch geothermal plants are owned by Homestretch Geothermal, LLC and began producing in 1986.

Hot Sulfur Springs Geothermal Project – 25 megawatts
In the development stage, the Hot Sulfur Springs geothermal project is owned by Ormat Technologies Co. and is located in Elko County northwest of Elko, NV  The project has an approved Power Purchase Agreement and is scheduled to be operational in 2013

Jersey Valley Geothermal Project – 22.5 megawatts
In the development stage, the Jersey Valley geothermal project is owned by Ormat Technologies Co. and is located in a remote area in both the Lander and Pershing Counties of Nevada.  The project has an approved Power Purchase Agreement and is scheduled to be operational by 2011.

McGinnis Hills Geothermal Project – 51 megawatts
In the development stage, the McGinnis Hills geothermal project is owned by Ormat Technologies Co. and is located in a remote area in both the Lander and Pershing Counties of Nevada.  The project has an approved Power Purchase Agreement and is scheduled to be operational by 2014.

Richard Burdette Geothermal Power Plant – 26 megawatts
Located in Washoe County near Steamboat, NV, the Richard Burdette Geothermal Power Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and went into service in 2006.

Salt Wells Geothermal Plant – 23.6 megawatts
Located in Churchill County east of Fallon, NV, the Salt Wells Geothermal Plant is owned by Enel North America and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 2009.

San Emidio Geothermal Plant – 3.8 megawatts
Located in northern Washoe County south of Gerlach, NV, the San Emidio Geothermal Plant is owned by US Geothermal Inc.   It has been providing geothermal energy to NV Energy customers since 1987.

Soda Lake 1 & 2 Geothermal Plant – 23.1 megawatts
Located in Churchill County east of Fallon, NV, the Soda Lake 1 & 2 Geothermal Plants are owned by Magma Energy Corp. and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 1987 and 1991 respectively.

Steamboat Hills Geothermal Plant – 13.2 megawatts
Located in Washoe County, the Steamboat Hills Geothermal Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 1988.

Steamboat 1A Geothermal Plant – 2 megawatts
Located in Washoe County, the Steamboat 1A Geothermal Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 1988.

Steamboat 2 Geothermal Plant – 13.4 megawatts
Located in Washoe County, the Steamboat 2 Geothermal Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 1992.

Steamboat 3 Geothermal Plant – 13.4 megawatts
Located in Washoe County, the Steamboat 3 Geothermal Plant is owned by Ormat Technologies and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 1992.

Stillwater 2 Geothermal Plant – 47.2 megawatts
Located in Churchill County, the Stillwater 2 Geothermal Plant is owned by Enel North America and began providing energy for NV Energy customers in 2009.