The proposed projects include 750MW McCoy Solar Energy Project, 150MW Desert Harvest Solar Farm and 200MW Searchlight Wind Energy Project.
Commenting on the approval Department of the Interior secretary Ken Salazar said that the projects showcase the country’s commitment towards boosting domestic energy production and to diversify its energy portfolio.
"In just over four years, we have advanced 37 wind, solar and geothermal projects on our public lands – or enough to power more than 3.8 million American homes.
"These projects are bolstering rural economies by generating good jobs and reliable power and strengthening our national energy security," outlined Salazar.
The McCoy Solar Energy Project, located northwest of Blythe in California is expected to one of the largest solar projects worldwide and was proposed by one of the subsidiaries of NextEra Resources.
Proposed by EDF Renewable Energy, the Desert Harvest Solar Farm in north of Desert Center, California, will feature an on-site substation and 230-kilovolt line to the Red Bluff Substation and power over 45,000 homes when completed.
The Searchlight Wind Energy Project will be built 60 miles southeast of Las Vegas while the Western Area Power Administration is proposing to construct, operate and maintain a new switching station to connect the project to the existing power grid.
The three projects will generate combined electricity to power over 340,000 homes.
