Nevada Geothermal Power has also completed a 21 mile power line interconnection to the Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) power grid, the production and injection well field, local power distribution system, and microwave communication system.
The power line interconnection was energised on 3 August 2009 and power from SPPC can now be back-fed to test numerous power plant electrical components, cooling tower fan motors and production well pumps for the geothermal installation. The first of several ground water wells has been commissioned and the water supply pipeline and cooling tower is operational.
Plant commissioning of the 'Faulkner 1' geothermal plant has commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2009.
In early October the geothermal plant will be operational with approximately 28-30 MW of firm output capacity. After start up two widely-spaced make-up geothermal wells are planned, replacing two existing shallow injectors, to allow sustainable plant output to be increased to 40 MW. In 2010, Nevada Geothermal Power will commence further investigations aimed at confirming the further build out potential within the 17 square mile lease area.
