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BrightSource taps Bechtel for Ivanpah Project

BrightSource taps Bechtel for Ivanpah Project

San Francisco- based Bechtel Corp. will build big solar power plants for Oakland- based BrightSource Energy, Inc. The project Ivanpah Solar Energy Generating System that costs $3 billion is planned to be build in the southeastern California. Bechtel will manage construction of three solar power plants generating 440 megawatts of electricity.

The new plants will use many mirrors to focus sunlight on a central tower with water. The sunlight will heat the water into steam that will turn a turbine and generate electricity. Each of the two 100 MW plants will cover 850 acres and will have three towers. The 200 MW plant with four towers will cover about 1,600 acres. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison have agreed to buy the electricity.  

SF Business Times-9/9/2009