NV Energy’s 400-megawatt (MW) Sierra Solar project in Churchill County, Nevada is on track for completion ahead of its scheduled April 2027 date, with the battery energy storage system (BESS) already online and solar array construction well underway.
The $1.5 billion project spans 6,787 acres and includes a 1,600 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS, which came online on March 20.
All foundation piles for the solar array racking have been installed and solar modules have been delivered and moved into place, with general contractor Kiewit managing construction. At peak, the project is expected to employ between 350 and 400 trades workers.
According to Northern Nevada Business Weekly (NNBW), Sierra Solar will deliver power to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center by connecting to the existing Tracy-Valmy 345 kilovolt transmission line. The project will help NV Energy meet Nevada’s state mandate of 50% renewable energy generation by 2030.
The project has faced significant cost pressure from tariff volatility on imported solar panels, with fluctuating tariff rates adding tens of millions of dollars in additional costs. NV Energy has dedicated teams working to reconcile tariff payments throughout the project. Despite these challenges, the project is expected to come in at or under budget.
“The battery portion of the project came online March 20, and that’s a great win for the customer,” Tua Fale, vice president of major projects for NV Energy, told NNBW in an interview. “As we start to settle the numbers – we’re working through the contractor to true up everything – it is looking to be at the very least on budget, but leaning heavily toward being under budget and early.”
NV Energy has noted the potential to expand the Sierra Solar site in a future second phase, with adjacent land already identified that could potentially double the project’s current capacity.
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