Sempra U.S. Gas & Power completes first phase of new Nevada solar energy project

Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), today 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 58 MW, bringing the total output to 150 MW.

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."

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC is a leading developer of renewable energy and natural gas solutions.  The company operates solar, wind and natural gas power plants that generate enough electricity for nearly 1 million homes, along with natural gas storage and pipelines, and distribution utilities. Sempra U.S. Gas & Power is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2011 revenues of $10 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' nearly 17,500 employees serve about 31 million consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.SempraUSGP.com.

Source: Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC