The State of Nevada has an abundance of renewable energy resources that are available to power our economy and our communities in an environmentally sustainable way.  However, tapping those resources has been challenging for many reasons, not least of which has been the accurate identification of the resources that are suitable for development to meet the needs of Nevada’s and the West’s growing population for energy.  In an effort to expedite development of these renewable energy resources, Senator Reid, with Senator Ensign, convened a meeting of the Federal agencies with significant operations in the State, Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, Senator Randoph Townsend, the Governor’s Energy Advisor Dr. Hatice Gecol, several State agencies, members of the Task Force on Renewable Energy and Conservation, and many other interested parties. 

Out of that meeting came an agreement to develop the set of draft maps of Nevada’s “developable” renewable energy resources through the hard work and contributions of the US Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, Naval Air Systems Command, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Air Force, the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Nevada Division of Minerals, and many others.

These maps do not constitute any formal legal or regulatory permission by the participating agencies for development in the areas identified, but are intended as a guide to developers, communities, and others, to encourage the rapid development of Nevada’s amazing renewable resource base.  In addition, these maps will be refined over time with the help and participation of the original contributors but also by others who share the goal of realizing Nevada’s renewable energy potential. 

  
  GEOTHERMAL  Nevada is hot! The Western Governors Association’s recent analysis identified 1500 MW of geothermal capacity that could come on line in Nevada by 2015. With 340 MW of geothermal power currently in operation and hundreds more coming on line in the next couple of years, Nevada is poised to become a world leader in geothermal power generation.

CLICK HERE to view an interactive Geothermal Potential Map of Nevada (30 second load time); CLICK HERE to view the same data in PDF format

      
  SOLAR Nevada has the highest solar energy potential in the nation and is already the number one state in per capita solar energy production. The DOE estimates that 100 square miles of Nevada land could supply all U.S. electricity needs with current (~10%) commercial efficiency rates. With over 250 days of sunshine a year, Nevada is looking forward to a bright solar future.

CLICK HERE to view an interactive Solar Potential Map of Nevada (30 second load time); CLICK HERE to view the same data in PDF format.

  
  WIND Over 24 million acres of land in Nevada within 10 miles of an existing transmission line is classified as 'good' to 'outstanding' for wind energy development. Nevada has the potential to generate 63 million megawatt/hours -- 280% of the State's current consumption

CLICK HERE to view an interactive Wind Potential Map of Nevada (30 second load time); CLICK HERE to view the same data in PDF format.

      
  BIOMASS

                  click here to view a Biomass Potential Map of Nevada