Utilities, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  January 26, 2018

Capital Dynamics to fund school district exit from NV Energy

Nevada’s Clark County School District is considering leaving NV Energy’s service territory with an eye towards lowering electric costs and delivering solar-powered energy through an agreement with three companies.

A PPA with Capital Dynamics, Tenaska Power Service, and Switch will be presented to the board of trustees, according to a report in the Nevada Independent. The group asserts that such a move would lower and lock down electricity rates, with more than 70% of the school district’s electricity to come from renewable sources.

An interesting detail of the agreement has Capital Dynamics filing and funding the school district’s exit application with the Public Utilities Commission, as well as paying what would likely be a costly exit fee to NV Energy. Capital Dynamics also plans to build a 195-megawatt solar project in Nevada, which would be run by energy development and management company Tenaska Power Service.

 "CCSD has been approached about utilizing renewable energy for a significant cost savings," district spokeswoman Kirsten Searer said in a statement. "We are always happy to consider ideas on how we can save taxpayer dollars and invest more in our classrooms." The district spent approximately $46.2 million on electricity in the 2016-2017 school year, though power costs have remained relatively flat over the last several years.

The trio of companies hopes to have a decision during the early part of this year in order to lock down low electric rates, though it is unclear how soon a decision will be made. 

Commenting on the possibility of leaving NV Energy, Deanna Wright, school board president, said, "Honestly, I think this is the natural progression of where and how services are going to be delivered moving forward." 

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