Abengoa and BrightSource Energy signed an agreement to jointly develop, build, and operate what the companies say will be the world’s two largest solar power towers at a site in California. The companies expect jointly to permit and finance the 500-MW Palen Solar Electric Generating System. Abengoa will build the plants as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, and will lead the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plants once online. BrightSource will provide the solar field technology and plant design. The Palen project consists of two 250-MW units located in a Department of Interior Solar Energy Zone in Riverside County, Calif. With permitting and development under way, construction is expected to begin at the end of 2013. The solar plants are expected to come online in 2016.
