A Chinese energy company has signed an agreement with the state expected to lead to development of a solar-energy generating station and a plant to build solar panels in Southern Nevada.
Steve Hill, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, signed the three-year memorandum of understanding on behalf of the state with ENN Group Co. Ltd. of China on Friday in Los Angeles.
ENN has acquired an option to buy about 9,000 acres near Laughlin to build what is being called the Nevada Clean Energy Eco-Center.
The site would include a large-scale solar panel manufacturing facility, a solar farm and a renewable energy center that could include wind-generated power.
The agreement, also signed by ENN North America CEO De-Ling Zhou, calls for a mutual dialogue in the development of the facility, an exchange of information and collaboration in the planning, design and construction.
The state is enthusiastic about the center because attracting renewable energy projects is a part of the Office of Economic Development’s strategy to diversify the economy.
The agreement is the latest of several deals with Chinese entities as Nevada continues to leverage business relationships that began with tourism agreements that led to the opening of a state tourism office in Beijing in 2004.
The signing, one in a series of agreements between several states and Chinese companies, was witnessed by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at a signing ceremony.
“This memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for moving forward with discussions between Nevada and ENN as we work to strengthen free and open markets,” Hill said in a release announcing the agreement.
There were no details on a timetable for the project or the number of jobs the facility could create.