The U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify developers interested in executing a commercial, clean energy solar project on NNSA-administered land in Nevada.
National Nuclear Security Administration
February 9, 2024
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify developers interested in executing a commercial, clean energy solar project on NNSA-administered land in Nevada. NNSA is considering leasing land on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
This project is part of DOE’s Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative to increase clean energy production by making DOE-administered land available for potential carbon-free energy projects. DOE is holding a NNSS Clean Energy Project Information Day in Las Vegas on February 13, 2024 and inviting leaders in solar energy technologies to participate. Attendees will learn more about the initiative and the RFQ and may visit the potential project location at NNSS.
The Request for Information (RFI) for this project was released in December 2023 to industry, government, Tribes, and community members, and it closed on January 12, 2024. NNSA received six responses from interested developers and is also hoping to receive responses to the RFQ.
Feedback from the January 16 Community Engagement Round Table, RFI, and the February 13 Information Day will be considered in developing the RFQ that NNSA tentatively will release in March 2024.
“This solar project makes good use of NNSS land, generates clean energy, and brings jobs and innovation to the state of Nevada,” said Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby. “DOE and NNSA are committed to combatting climate change not only through our R&D efforts but also through clean energy production on our sites.”
DOE has previously released a Draft RFQ pertaining to a Realty Agreement (lease or possibly an easement) for carbon pollution-free electricity projects at the Hanford site.
DOE also has issued a RFI focused on generating clean energy at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina and a RFI for clean energy production at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
More information on Cleanup to Clean Energy can be found at Cleanup to Clean Energy - Expanding Clean Energy Generation on DOE Lands.