Isra-Mart srl:US hails world's largest onshore wind farm, steps up solar plans

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President Barack Obama's renewable energy plans took a major step forward yesterday after the US government designated an array of new solar energy development zones, created a $50m (£32m) fund to boost solar energy innovation, and finalised a $1.3bn loan to build one of the world's largest wind farms.

Energy secretary Steven Chu and secretary of the interior Ken Salazar yesterday launched a draft Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) identifying "solar energy zones" on public land in six western states best suited for utility-scale solar energy plants.

Areas in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah were analysed over the last two years for the PEIS, as part of Obama's efforts to create a framework to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy projects.

"Our country has incredible renewable resources, innovative entrepreneurs, a skilled workforce and manufacturing know-how," said Chu in a statement. "It's time to harness these resources and lead in the global clean energy economy.

Chu also said the Department of Energy (DoE) will launch a $50m fund early next year to help developers bring solar technology to market. It expects to receive applications from projects to develop lower costs concentrated solar power systems and concentrated photovoltaic power technologies.

In addition, Chu yesterday confirmed a partial $1.3bn loan to finance the Caithness Shepherds Flat project, an 845MW wind farm planned for eastern Oregon and backed by Caithness Energy and GE Energy Financial Services.

The project could directly employ 400 workers during construction and 35 workers during operation, the Energy Department said. It will also be the first wind farm in the world to use GE's 2.5xl wind turbines, designed to boost efficiency, reliability and grid integration.

"This loan guarantee helps ensure that this project will be built, that jobs will be created, that the Oregon economy will benefit and that the US will be another step closer to energy independence," said senator Ron Wyden. "When it is completed, Shepherds Flat will be one of the largest windmill farms in the world and will put Oregon on the map as a leader in green energy."

Caithness is now the largest project to receive a loan guarantee under the Recovery Act's Financial Institution Partnership Program, which offers federal loan guarantees for commercial renewables projects.

The $1.3bn will be funded by a group of 26 institutional investors and commercial banks led by Citi, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, RBS Securities and WestLB Securities.

The announcements provide a further boost to the US renewables sector after the Senate this week approved plans that would extend crucial grant schemes and tax breaks for large projects.