Nearly two dozen companies are using scientific devices to measure wind speed and directions for possible turbine sites across the region, including in the Virginia Range near Pyramid Lake, The Pah Rah mountains east of Sparks and other parts of northern Washoe County. 

According to signonsandiego.com, in the south county, up to 70 wind turbines are proposed on federal land by Great Basin Wind, stretching from Geiger Summit to McClellan Peak. The ridge lines lie between Washoe Valley and Virginia City. 

The same report highlighted that Nevada Wind is proposing up to 44 turbines in the Pah Rah Mountains east of Warm Springs. The project is expected to produce enough energy to power 44,000 homes, considering that each turbine is to produce 2 1/2 megawatts.

In a related development, NV Energy, formerly known as Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, has already issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy resources. 

Proposals will be considered for solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and other resources eligible for portfolio energy credits under the Nevada renewable portfolio standard. Responses are due November 10, 2008. This RFP is open to parties who currently own, propose to develop, or have rights to a renewable energy generating facility with a minimum capacity of 1 MW.

NV Energy is expecting to acquire renewable energy from multiple generating facilities to meet, at a minimum, the mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard target of 12 percent of retail sales coming from renewable resources in 2009-2010, 15 percent in 2011-2012, 18 percent in 2013-2014, and 20 percent by 2015.