Alstom will invest a further US$75 million in BrightSource Energy, adding to its original commitment of US$55 million in May 2010. The companies signed a partnership agreement in August 2010 to provide fully integrated solar thermal power plants around the world.
Partnering in countries such as the Mediterranean ring and Africa, Alstom and BrightSource will work together where solar conditions best suit the companies’ technology.
Philippe Joubert, Alstom Power president said, “With this new investment, we continue to build our partnership with BrightSource Energy to provide highly efficient solar thermal power plants that will bring customers cost-efficient and reliable carbon-free power. This further reinforces our commitment to the solar thermal market, in line with Alstom's clean power strategy to provide leading solutions spanning hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, waste-to-energy and tidal”.
“Alstom's additional investment in BrightSource Energy further demonstrates the strength of our partnership. We look forward to continue developing our solar thermal power offering globally and to meeting the world's growing demand for reliable, carbon-free energy,” said John M. Woolard, CEO and president of BrightSource Energy.
BrightSource recently began construction of its 392MW-gross Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS), currently under development in San Bernardino County, California. Once complete, the Ivanpah project will be the largest of its kind.