NV Energy Declares 'Energy Independence' for Southern Nevada, As Plant Expands Operations

This year, May 4th was Independence Day— of a sort— in Southern Nevada. There were no fireworks, but residents did take  a major step toward energy independence,  with the dedication by NV Energy  of the new 484 megawatt (MW)combined-cycle addition at the existing 144 MW Harry Allen Generating Station.

The station now has a peak generating capacity of 628 MW—which NV Energy says is enough energy to supply power to 375,000 homes.

With the new 484 MW addition at the Harry Allen station, 25 miles north of Las Vegas, NV Energy estimates that it can meet approximately 80 percent of the peak energy needs of Southern Nevada. Southern Nevada covers five counties, for a total regional area of roughly 43,765 square miles. NV Energy’s southern service territory comprises Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Laughlin, Searchlight, and unincorporated Clark County.

“The Harry Allen Generating Station addition marks the completion of a building initiative that we began in 2006 to increase Nevada’s energy independence,” said Michael Yackira, NV Energy President and CEO. “Since then, we’ve strengthened our generation portfolio nearly 250 percent—making our portfolio, by percentage, one of the fastest growing in the nation.”

The Harry Allen Generating Station is a clean-burning natural gas-fueled power plant. It was originally built as a “simple cycle” plant, to operate mostly during the hottest time of the year, when customer demand was the highest.

The plant addition comprises two combustion turbine generators, similar to the turbines that power jet airplanes. They are combined with two heat recovery steam generators that capture waste heat from the turbines. The waste heat is converted to steam, which then powers a single steam turbine generator, creating additional electricity.

The plant also uses a dry-cooling system that allows it to produce electricity using only 6 percent of the water required by similar facilities and other technology that recycles 75 percent of the water used.

“The emission rates for the new facility are among the lowest in the industry, and the amount of electricity generated for a specific amount of natural gas fuel will be among the best in the nation,” Yackira said.

Construction on the facility began in November 2007 and employed nearly 750 workers at peak production. Principal contractors for the project were Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Shaw Group, Inc.,, for engineering procurement and construction services; Schenectady, New York-based GE Energy, for combustion and steam turbine equipment; and Irving, Texas-based Vogt Flowserve for the heat recovery steam generator. 

Aside from the Harry Allen Generating Station, NV Energy operates seven plants in its southern Nevada service region, including:

 Edward W. Clark Generating Station (Las Vegas): 1,102 MW

 Chuck Lenzie Generating Station (30 miles outside Las Vegas): 1,102 MW

Goodsprings Waste Heat Recovery Station – Under Construction(Near Primm): 5.8 MW

Reid Gardner Generating Station (Near Moapa): 557 MW

 Silverhawk Generating Station (30 miles outside Las Vegas): 520 MW

 Sunrise Generating Station (East side of Las Vegas): 150 MW

 Walter M. Higgins Generating Station (Primm): 530 MW

Headquartered in Las Vegas, NV Energy, Inc. provides electricity to 2.4 million electric citizens throughout the State of Nevada, as well as a tourist population exceeding 40 million annually.