Fuji Electric invests $10 million in Hudson Ranch II project by EnergySource
Hudson Ranch I geothermal power plant, March 2012, Salton Sea, California/ U.S. (source: EnergySource)
Alexander Richter
27 Nis 2012
Fuji Electric invests $10 million into the Hudson Ranch II geothermal power project by EnergySource in the Imperial Valley in California.
Announced by both companies yesterday, Japanese turbine manufacturer Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. has made a $10 million investment in the geothermal power plant project Hudson Ranch II by EnergySource in the Imperial Valley, California in the U.S.
Fuji, as reported earlier this week, plans to strengthen its position supplying the industry its turbine technology through this investment. At the same time it proves the confidence the company has in the project and capabilities of EnergySource, that brought its Hudson Ranch I plant online this spring.
EnergySource plans to commence drilling mid-year for Hudson Ranch II, with plant construction to begin in 2013 and commercial operations in 2015. Like its recently completed Hudson Ranch I project, in which EnergySource first selected Fuji Electric steam turbine generator equipment, the new plant will generate 49 MW from one of the largest and highest temperature geothermal resources in North America, the Salton Sea resource in Imperial County, California. Fuji Electric is a leading supplier of steam turbine generator equipment to the geothermal sector and its investment will support EnergySource’s advancement of the Hudson Ranch II project.
“Fuji Electric supports accelerating renewable energy projects in the area of power generation. The company is committed to expanding and growing its geothermal power plant business as a major emphasis for the company,” said Naoto Yoneyama, Managing Executive Officer & Director of Fuji Electric. “With EnergySource’s successful commercial launch of Hudson Ranch I last month, Fuji Electric saw a great opportunity to invest in development of the second plant.”
Hudson Ranch I and Hudson Ranch II will each generate enough power to serve 50,000 homes in the Southwestern region.
“EnergySource is looking forward to bringing its second geothermal plant on-line and continuing to design and operate power plants in this very robust and dependable resource,” said Dave Watson, president and CEO of EnergySource. “Fuji Electric’s investment in our project will accelerate our timeline and our larger development plans to bring new capacity to California and Southwestern utilities in order to meet their state-mandated renewable energy requirements through the delivery of geothermal power.”
Source: EnergySource company release
