California’s Palen 500MW CSP project scrapped

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The 500MW Palen concentrating solar power (CSP) project has withdrawn its planning application less than a week after authorities said it had to be scaled down.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) said last week that the project could go ahead if the two tower plan was changed to one tower and less land was used for the development.

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In a short, perfunctory submission to the CEC on September 26, the Abengoa and Brightsource joint venture withdrew its application.

CSP has faced a number of challenges in the US including rigorous environmental mitigation to protect desert species of tortoise. 

With the investment tax credit (ITC) being cut to 10% at the end of 2016, outstanding projects were facing an increasing short build time to secure the 30% rate.

Ivanpah is the only CSP tower plant to have been built in California so far.

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