ESTUARY POWER SIGNS KEY AGREEMENT ENABLING LARGE-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT AT NEVADA NATIONAL SECURITY SITE

Reno, Nevada, October 8, 2024 – Estuary Power (“Estuary”) has signed a long-term easement agreement with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (“DOE/NNSA”) enabling construction of a large-scale solar energy project at the Nevada National Security Site (“NNSS”) in southern Nevada. 

The NNSS, occupying 1,355 square miles in southern Nevada, has been a key contributor to U.S. national security since 1950.  In 2023, the DOE announced that lands at the NNSS could be made available for solar energy as part of DOE’s Cleanup to Clean Energy Initiative, which repurposes unused DOE lands for clean energy.  Following a request for qualifications in early 2024, DOE/NNSA selected Estuary to negotiate a realty agreement for a large-scale solar energy project at the NNSS.  The signed easement agreement is the culmination of those negotiations.  The easement covers an initial 2,400 acres with provisions for expansion on additional NNSS land. 

“Estuary is delighted to work with DOE/NNSA to generate clean energy on unused lands at the NNSS,” said Jill Daniel, chief executive officer of Estuary.  “DOE selected Estuary as its partner on this historic project based on our deep roots in Nevada, our track record of delivering energy to key Nevada customers, and our ability to work with diverse stakeholders to create projects with broad benefit.  The NNSS is one of the premier untapped solar energy generation sites in the western US, with potential for gigawatt-scale solar capacity, one of the highest solar resource levels in the US, and on-site connectivity to multiple high voltage transmission lines.  The NNSS is also an Energy Community under the Inflation Reduction Act.  Just as the NNSS has been contributing to national security since 1950, it will continue to contribute to energy security for decades into the future.” 

“The Nevada National Security Site is very excited about this project with Estuary,” said Dr. David R. Bowman, Field Office Manager for the Department of Energy’s Nevada National Security Site.  “As the nation’s infrastructure continues to grow, clean energy production is a top priority for DOE.  Nevada is one of the top states in the country for solar energy production and plays a key role in meeting our country’s clean energy goals.”

“It’s an exciting time for renewable energy development in Nevada as partners come together to collaborate and advance projects, including this recent agreement announced with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and Estuary” said Tony Sanchez, Executive Vice President, Business Development and External Relations at NV Energy.  “As NV Energy continues to prioritize renewable energy options for Nevadans, it’s terrific to see projects, like this one, evolve.”

About Estuary Power

Estuary Power, based in Reno, Nevada, develops, owns, and operates large-scale energy generation and storage projects in the western United States.  Estuary has a successful track record of delivering energy to investor-owned utilities, cooperative utilities, data centers, mines, and other large industrial power users.  Estuary is a majority woman-owned business with financial backing from Ullico Infrastructure Fund (“UIF”), a $5.5 billion infrastructure fund focused on the development and refurbishment of U.S. infrastructure.  UIF’s investors are primarily union pension funds, including several Nevada unions.  Estuary’s Responsible Contractor Policy ensures creation of well-paying, rewarding union jobs.

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