Confusing article - especially for anyone not familiar with EVM.
I guess that means the financing is tied up with the Texan arrangement ________________________________________
The project to build a half-mile tall “solar tower” between Parker and Quartzsite to generate electricity is back on track. That’s what Christopher Davey, the chairman of EnviroMission USA, told the La Paz County Board of Supervisors at their Oct. 7 meeting. He said the financing and other problems, which had delayed the project had been worked out.
EnviroMission USA is a subsidiary of EnviroMission Ltd., an Australia-based energy company. Their plan is to build a 2,600-foot tall tower, which would be surrounded by a greenhouse-like canopy at the base that would cover 3,500 acres. Heated air in the canopy would enter the tower through 32 openings in its base. The heated air would turn turbines to generate electricity. The heated air would cool and be vented out the top of the tower.
The project was first announced in 2009. EnviroMission has held several work sessions with the Board of Supervisors since that time.
Davey said enough power would be generated for 150,000 to 200,000 homes. The facility would use no water to generate electricity, which Davey said is an important consideration in the desert. The plant would also produce no carbon emissions to generate electricity.
The estimated cost is $750 million. The plant would provide several thousand jobs during construction, as well as 30 to 50 permanent jobs when it’s completed.
Hensel-Phelps is the contractor hired to build the project. The Greeley, Colo.-based firm has an international reputation. They recently completed the “Sky Train” project at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Other projects they’ve built include the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany and the South Terminal at Miami International Airport.
The project had been delayed because the company no longer had an end user for the power the facility would produce. Due to EnviroMission’s inability to set a definite timeframe for when the plant would be ready, the Southern California Public Power Authority ended its agreement to purchase power in November 2012.
EnviroMission could not set a timeframe because they were still trying to secure financing.
Davey told the Supervisors Oct. 7 these and other problems had been worked out, and they were proceeding with the financing. He said they’ve initiated transmission work at the site and have also sent out requests for proposals for materials to be used at the site.
Davey said the company feels comfortable moving forward with the project. He noted some other power projects in the Southwest had also been delayed due to the current condition of the economy.
“This project is happening,” he said. “It is moving forward.”
District 1 Supervisor King Clapperton asked whether the canopy would be strong enough to withstand the high winds that are often seen between Parker and Quartzsite.
“Definitely!” Davey replied. He said they are working with companies that handle high-impact materials.
EnviroMission is in the process of setting up a new website to keep everyone informed of the project’s status, Davey said. He added they plan on meeting with the supervisors to keep them up to date on developments.
