On Dec. 11, 2012, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, announced that it has completed construction of the 92-megawatt (MW) first phase of a new photovoltaic solar power facility, Copper Mountain Solar 2, located in Boulder City, Nev., about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
The first phase of the project consists of nearly 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating enough clean, emissions-free electricity for about 27,600 average homes.
"Copper Mountain Solar 2 is the third major solar project in Boulder City that Sempra U.S. Gas & Power has completed in the past five years," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power. "Nevada has a great business climate with leaders at the federal, state and local level who have helped make our projects successful."
Construction on the 1,100-acre site began in December 2011 and created about 630 jobs at the peak of construction. The power generated at Copper Mountain Solar 2 is being sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under a 25-year contract.
When completed in 2015, the second-phase of Copper Mountain Solar 2 will produce an additional 58MW, bringing the total output to 150MW.
In addition to the first phase of Copper Mountain Solar 2, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power also developed 58MW of solar power at Copper Mountain Solar 1 in Boulder City.
"Sempra has been a great partner in turning Boulder City's vision of a dedicated solar energy zone into a reality," said Boulder City Mayor Roger Tobler. "The economic benefits that these projects bring into our community directly benefit our citizens. That steady stream of revenue has allowed Boulder City to continue to provide vital services and still move forward with our intention to be debt free in the next few years."