STATE : Blast Shuts Down Solar Plant
An explosion and fire shut down electricity production at the world’s largest solar power plant in the Mojave Desert near Barstow this morning.
One of four natural-gas-fired heaters used as a backup system at the Harper Lake solar plant exploded as it was being brought up to full power. The cause of the explosion was unknown. No one was reported injured.
The $230-million, 80-megawatt plant operated by Luz International Ltd. of Los Angeles was put on line Dec. 28 and provides enough electricity to serve 115,000 people. The power is sold to Southern California Edison Co. An Edison spokesman said there was no interruption of electricity service to its customers.
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