Ormat powers up 30-MW geothermal plant in California

Ormat Technologies Inc (NYSE:ORA) said on Monday it has launched commercial operations at its 30-MW Casa Diablo-IV geothermal power plant in Mammoth Lakes, California.

The facility utilises Ormat’s air-cooled binary technology and is the first one of its kind built within the area of the California Independent System Operator balancing authority in the past 30 years.

The plant’s output will be sold under several power purchase agreements (PPAs). Under two separate contracts for 10 years, it will be supplying electricity from 7 MW of capacity to each of community choice aggregators Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Central Coast Community Energy. Separately, a 25-year PPA is in place with the Southern California Public Power Authority for the remaining 16 MW.

“These three strategic PPAs support Ormat’s long-term plans to grow our geothermal business in California, while also demonstrating the value of Ormat’s unique binary technology in providing zero-emission, renewable energy at affordable prices,” said Doron Blachar, Ormat’s CEO.

At present, Reno, Nevada-based Ormat owns 1,163 MW of geothermal and solar power capacity globally, as well as an 88-MW energy storage portfolio in the US. Last week, the company brought online a 20-MW photovoltaic (PV) park in California.

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