NRG’s Massive California Solar Plant Finally Making Enough Power

  • Ivanpah solar-thermal plant struggled to produce enough power
  • One-year forbearance deal with PG&E expired Wednesday
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The world’s biggest solar-thermal power plant is finally producing enough electricity.

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in Southern California initially failed to meet contractual obligations, and a yearlong forbearance deal with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. expired Wednesday. After fine-tuning the complex facility that uses 170,000 mirrors, output is up and it’s no longer at risk of defaulting on the deal, according to David Knox, a spokesman for operator and co-owner NRG Energy Inc.