The Enel Green Power Plant in Stillwater east of Fallon is a bigger deal than you may realize. Not only is it a partnership between Italy and the state of Nevada, it's the biggest hybrid power plant in the world and it's paving the way for the future of energy. In fact, it's such a big deal that the Prime Minister of Italy made his first ever trip to Nevada on Tuesday to see it in person.Â
"This power plant here," Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said, "is unique. It is the biggest of its kind in the world and it used three kinds of technology. Geothermal power and two types of solar power blended together."
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval was just as impressed.Â
"This plant is unique and it's the only one of its kind on the planet. Their technology and our resources have created this!"
They say the combination of technologies has created a plant that is close to 90% efficient. And they say this is just the beginning.Â
"They have put about 50 people to work so far and that's just the start," Governor Sandoval said. "And they have invested more that $200-million into Churchill County and the great state of Nevada."
They are planning similar yet smaller versions of the Stillwater plant in Germany and in Chile.
