The need for clean, renewable energy sources has and will continue to provide incredible work opportunities for our Union Carpenters. Take for example, the Gemini Solar and Storage Substation project in Clark County, Nevada. The $1.2 billion investment that spans almost 5,000 acres, includes a solar array and battery energy storage system that stores 1400 megawatt hours, enough to power roughly 10% of Nevada’s peak energy needs. It’s said that this new substation may have the potential to supply 100% of the state’s energy demand in the future. To bring the project to life, Primergy Solar, the project developer, partnered with the Moapa Band of Paiutes, to develop the project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, and hired signatory contractor Kiewit, that specializes in infrastructure projects.
Nearly 200 Carpenters were tasked with all aspects of construction, including, but not limited to pile driving and concrete work. Because the project was developed in the Mojave Desert, it was necessary for Carpenters to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and National Parks Services to minimally impact native plants and other species, which included efforts to relocate desert tortoises.
A future demand for renewable energy equally entails a future demand for Carpenters to build cutting-edge infrastructure.