NV Energy and Apple partnering to build solar energy resources in Nevada

By Erin Ryan

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 | 4:30 p.m.

NV Energy and Apple have jointly announced an agreement to build 200 megawatts of additional solar energy in Nevada to support the tech company’s Reno-based data center with renewable energy. Completion is expected by 2019.

First, the energy company must apply with the state’s Public Utilities Commission to enter into a power purchase agreement for the solar power plant. The acquisition will bring the utility’s total to more than 529 megawatts of new solar resources “in construction in Nevada or under review for approval,” according to a statement. That’s a significant gain on the company’s 491 megawatts of universal solar resources currently serving customers.

Apple plans to dedicate up to 5 megawatts of the new power to a subscription solar program NV Energy has in the works for residential and commercial customers.

“We are proud to play a role in helping Apple meet their energy needs with Nevada’s abundant solar resource,” Paul Caudill, president and CEO of NV Energy, said in the release, adding that the utility is dedicated to developing “a more balanced fuel mix in a way that benefits the local economy.”

Apple is aiming for 100 percent renewables across all its operations, and vice president for environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson sees the partnership in Nevada helping to assure that iMessages, FaceTime videos and Siri conversations are powered by clean energy. In the joint statement, she also touted Apple’s support of “efforts to offer the choice of green energy to Nevada residents and businesses.”

The service NV Energy provides to 1.3 million customers throughout the state includes more than 1,900 megawatts of renewables, including geothermal, solar, wind, hydro plants and various biomass and methane projects.