Mojave Desert to host largest solar farm

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A division of U.S. power company NRG Energy Inc. said it is working in California's Mojave Desert to build the world's largest solar thermal power plant.

NRG Solar said it signed a letter of intent with its partner at BrightSource Energy, Inc. to build the 392-megawatt Ivanpah solar power system in the southeast of California's Mojave Desert.

The company said the power generated from the solar-energy system will be sold to utility companies Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison under at least a 20-year agreement. The project, the company said, will nearly double the amount of solar energy generated in the United States.

"Solar power is a cornerstone of our strategy to produce and deliver clean, zero-emission products and services to America's growing number of clean energy consumers," NRG Chief Executive Officer David Crane said in a statement.

Solar power generated from the Ivanpah solar facility is enough to meet the energy needs of more than 140,000 households. Nearly 400,000 tons of carbon emissions will be removed from the atmosphere each year with the project, the company added.

NRG said it already started construction of the project, which will become fully operational within three years.