Project Focus: CEC grants permission for Solar Millennium Palen plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the construction and operation of two solar-thermal power plants with a planned total capacity of some 500MW at the Palen location in California. The second project location, developed by the American project development unit of the Solar Millennium Group, will therefore go ahead as planned. The entire approval procedure is expected to be completed with the decision by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the beginning of next year.

Oliver Blamberger, CFO of Solar Millennium said, “The partial approval by the California Energy Commission for the Palen location is another important milestone in our U.S. business. On the whole, we have established an excellent starting position in the currently most important market for solar-thermal power plants.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Uwe T. Schmidt, CEO of Solar Trust of America said, “With roughly 800 permanent jobs in the operation and several thousands in the construction of our solar-thermal power plants in California and Nevada, new sustainable jobs are being created throughout the American southwest.”

Together with the solar location at Blythe, the locations of the Solar Millennium Group have reached a total a capacity of some 1,500MW in California alone. Initial construction works for the planned power plants have already started at the Blythe location.

Read Next

October 13, 2026
New Zealand retailers Briscoe Group and Farro have signed electricity supply agreements with solar generator Lodestone Energy.
October 13, 2026
ARENA is providing up to AU$32.3m to set up factories for robots that install solar modules and drive foundation piles.
October 12, 2026
Australia's rooftop solar sector posted its strongest half-year performance since 2021, with battery storage increasingly riding alongside it.
October 12, 2026
As part of the Chinese company's expansion into the APAC, it forms an alliance with Indonesia's SEDAYUSolar to promote solar in the country.
October 12, 2026
A report states there is little congruent guidance or legislation concerning the effects of glare from solar panel installations.
October 12, 2026
From its site in Tamil Nadu, the Indian company's production ramps up amid made-in-India promotion for installation of solar hardware.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
October 21, 2026
2pm AEDT
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland