NV Energy's Valmy Generating Station, Nevada's last coal-fired plant, is set to close later this year. While originally planned for a transition to solar and battery storage, the utility has proposed replacing it with natural gas peaking units, citing reliability concerns and load growth. This decision has drawn criticism from environmental groups who argue that the move prolongs reliance on fossil fuels and represents a bait-and-switch from the initial plan.
Most nations miss deadline for plans to fight climate change.
“Utilities all get judged for how reliable they are,” said Michael Milligan, an independent power system consultant who specializes in the integration of renewable energy into the power grid. “They don’t get extra credit for being extra reliable — nobody gets fired if they’re too reliable. A lot of people get fired if the system isn’t reliable enough.”
The approval of the peaking units marks the third natural gas project approved in less than two years at a combined cost of about $1 billion.The North Valmy Generating Station is jointly owned by NV Energy and Idaho Power. Valmy’s first coal-burning unit came online in 1981; its second unit came online in 1985. Combined, it produces enough electricity to serve approximately 315,000 households.
In response, the utility submitted a fifth and final amendment to its plan. In this amendment, NV Energy announced its plan to convert Valmy to natural gas, with full conversion to be completed by the end of 2026; that plan was approved by state energy regulators, who had previously expressed concern about losing it as a regional power source.
The peaking units, which are capable of 15 percent hydrogen combustion, are intended to operate only as needed, Delaney wrote, particularly during the summer. She did not answer if there is a cap on how often the units can run. “NV Energy is not deviating from clean energy goals because it is eliminating coal from the existing resource portfolio by the end of 2025,” they
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