BrightSource Energy Inc., the parent of Israeli solar technology company Luz II Ltd. is in talks with officials in Phoenix to build a 400 megawatt power plant in Arizona. A source at Luz II confirmed that its parent was looking to buy suitable land in Arizona, and that it was in talks on the building of more solar power plants in all the southwest states of the US.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said solar power has appeal for the city as a method to reduce its energy costs. Partnering with a solar provider also would have the benefit of bringing additional jobs and a more diversified economy to the valley.
The discussions began after Gordon visited BrightSource's research and development facility in Israel, run by subsidiary Luz II, earlier this year. That started conversations about how to bring the company's technology to Arizona.
The idea behind the impending agreement is to utilize Arizona's natural resources to promote the move to clean energy, as BrightSource has already done in California's Mojave Desert under its agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where it is building a 900 MW power plant. It is now building a 400-MW, and intends to bring the technology to Arizona.
BrightSource Energy VP regulatory affairs Joshua Bar Lev said, "A 100-MW generating station would bring up to 500 construction jobs during the 18 to 24 months it would take to build, and then the facility would run on a staff of about 20 to 24 people."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 29, 2008
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