Toquop Energy Project Explained

Toquop Energy Project is a proposed energy facility located in Lincoln County near Mesquite, Nevada.

In 2003, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a rights-of-way for a natural gas-fired plant. In 2004, Toquop Energy applied to amend the ROW for construction of a coal-fired plant. In March 2008, the city of Saint George, Utah and the Washington County, Utah Commissioners withdrew support for the project because of possible effects on air quality.[1]

In 2008, Toquop Energy Project was listed by the Nevada Governor as being on hold, along with three other Nevada coal projects that were postponed or on hold (Granite Fox Power Project near Gerlach, Ely EnergyProject and White Pine Energy Station).[2] [3]

In 2010, Toquop Energy informed the BLM that the plan was to proceed with a gas-fired plant.[4] [3] [5]

In 2012, the project was proposed to be a $1.4 billion (equivalent to $ billion in) energy facility. Phase 1 was to be a 100MW photovoltaic plant scheduled for completion in 2012. Phase 2 of the project was a 700MW natural gas station scheduled for completion in 2015.[6] [7] [8] [9]

In September, 2012, Sithe Global withdrew from the project and was replaced by EWP Renewable Corporation and the solar portion of the project no longer appeared.[10] [11] EWP planned to develop the project in two phases of 550 MW each with an anticipated completion in the first quarter of 2016.[4]

A February 2013 press release stated that Toquop Power Holdings negotiated an option to purchase as much as 7,240 acre-feet (about 2.4e9USgal) of water at a cost of $12,000 per acre foot.[12] At the time, construction was estimated to last 36 to 48 months and cost about $1.8 billion (equivalent to $ billion in). The construction phase of the project was expected to employ about 800 workers. Operation of the plant was estimated to provide 15 full time positions.

A July 2022 document by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) states that on January 23, 2013 the NDOW received an application from the Toquop Power Holdings LLC for a 1,100 MW fossil fuel plant named Toquop Power Project.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: Toquop Deadline Closes In . Patrice . St. Germain. February 21, 2023 . 1, 8 . The Daily Spectrum . . March 7, 2008.
  2. Web site: 2008 Status of Energy in Nevada . Office of the Governor, Nevada State Office of Energy . 2008 . February 21, 2023.
  3. News: Sithe to use solar, natural gas for Mesquite power plant . . March 22, 2010. February 21, 2023.
  4. Web site: Toquop Energy Project . . https://web.archive.org/web/20151005001906/http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office/blm_programs/energy/toquop_energy.html . October 5, 2015.
  5. Web site: Nevada Power Plant Will be Fueled by Natural Gas and Solar, Not Coal . . March 22, 2010 . February 21, 2023.
  6. Web site: Toquop Energy Project Class I-B Operating Permit to Construct Application . July 2007 . November 19, 2012.
  7. News: Nev. Power-Plant Developers Opt for Gas, Solar . Robin . Bravender . . March 23, 2010 . November 17, 2012.
  8. News: Sithe to use solar, natural gas for Mesquite power plant . Jennifer . Robison . . June 15, 2010 . November 17, 2012.
  9. Web site: Nevada Renewable Energy Summary . May 10, 2012 . November 19, 2012.
  10. News: Toquop Power Project Reborn, Better This Time . September 28, 2012 . John . Taylor . Mesquite Citizen Journal . . https://web.archive.org/web/20121006172927/http://mesquitecitizen.com/viewnews.php?newsid=2914&id=3 . October 6, 2012.
  11. Web site: EWP Renewable acquires rights to Nevada gas-fired project . September 28, 2012 . Barry . Cassell . transmissionhub.com. August 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130021422/https://www.transmissionhub.com/articles/2012/09/ewp-renewable-acquires-rights-to-nevada-gas-fired-project.html . November 30, 2020.
  12. Web site: Agreement Produces Energy Project for Lincoln County, Nevada . February 25, 2013 . businesswire.com. February 21, 2023.
  13. Web site: NDOW Energy Review Program Application Summary . . February 21, 2023.