(CARSON CITY, Nev.) April 22, 2022
In 2021, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) approved partial sales and use tax and partial property tax abatements to five renewable energy companies. Under GOE’s Renewable Energy Tax Abatement (RETA) program, these five companies will invest an anticipated $1,583,145,370 to Nevada’s economy through sales tax, property tax and payroll. In addition, these projects will create an estimated 853 construction jobs and 29 permanent jobs in Nevada and add 1,166 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity to Nevada’s existing capacity of just under 5,000 MW.
“The large investments this tax abatement program brings into the state is an investment in both our clean energy future and more jobs for more Nevadans,” Governor Steve Sisolak said.
“Our RETA program creates jobs, brings large economic investments into the state, and maximizes use of Nevada’s abundant renewable energy resources to help reach our renewable portfolio standard of 50 percent of power generation from renewable sources by 2030,” GOE Director David Bobzien said.
The five companies approved for abatements in 2021 include:
- Dry Lake Solar (Clark County) was approved in January 2021 to receive $36,478,866 in abatements and will invest an anticipated $343,349,803 in Nevada, provide 195 construction jobs and two operational jobs.
- Gemini Solar (Clark County) was approved in February 2021 to receive $121,088,850 in abatements and will invest an anticipated $1,011,884,025 in Nevada, provide 422 construction jobs and six operational jobs.
- Citadel Solar (Storey County) was approved in May 2021 to receive $13,039,568 in abatements and will invest an anticipated $61,251,812 in Nevada, provide 96 construction jobs and six operational jobs.
- North Valley Power Plant (Washoe County) was approved in October 2021 to receive $10,934,530 in abatements and will invest an anticipated $123,974,682 in Nevada, provide 38 construction jobs and 13 operational jobs.
- Boulder Flats Solar (Clark County) was approved in November 2021 to receive $7,725,848 in abatements and will invest an anticipated $42,685,048 in Nevada, provide 102 construction jobs and two operational jobs.
In addition, two previously approved projects began construction in 2021: Fish Springs Solar and Yellow Pine Solar. So far in 2022, one additional project has been approved for abatements (Arrow Canyon Solar) and one new project has applied (Iron Point Solar).
Per Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 701A, abated companies are required operate in the states for at least 10 years with a production capacity of at least 10 MW. In addition, abated companies are required to hire at least 50 percent of employees who are Nevada residents and provide hourly wages that are at least 110 percent of the average statewide hourly wage (for operational jobs) and 175 percent above the statewide hourly wage (for construction jobs).
GOE administers Nevada’s renewable energy tax abatements (RETA), which came under GOE’s jurisdiction in 2011. The program awards partial sales and use tax (over three-year periods) and partial property tax abatements (over 20-year periods) to eligible renewable energy facilities. GOE reviews abatement applications, conducts public hearings to determine eligibility, and reviews annual compliance reports after abatements have been granted.
About the Governor's Office of Energy
The Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) oversees energy programs required through statute and those that help to meet the mission of the office, which is to ensure the wise development of Nevada’s energy resources in harmony with local community economic needs and Nevada natural resources.