Vancouver, B.C. (September 27, 2011), Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. (NGP) (TSX.V: NGP, OTCBB: NGLPF) today announced results for the year ended June 30, 2011. Gross margin for the year was $12.6 million and the net loss was $8.6 million. The full financial results are available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at http://www.nevadageothermal.com.
The year ended June 30, 2011 was the first full year that the Company's Blue Mountain geothermal power plant was in operation. Power production for the year averaged 45 MW (gross), 35 MW (net), generating revenue of $24.9 million and EBITDA of $15.2 million.
The Company's President and CEO, Mr. Brian Fairbank, commented on the results, saying that, "The Blue Mountain power plant continues to deliver solid operational results, despite current difficulties with the funding structure which resulted in the net loss recorded. We continue to believe that the wellfield is capable of higher power production, and are working towards making this a reality."
Highlights
• Three properties in California's Imperial Valley purchased from Iceland America Energy • $98.5 million 4.14% financing with John Hancock, partially guaranteed by US DOE • $7.9 million grant received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") subsequent to year-end • Crump Joint Venture with Ormat • Discussions with EIG regarding potential changes to loan terms continue, with a view to enabling a tax-assisted financing
Mr. Fairbank said, "We are continuing to develop our pipeline of geothermal properties, as well as strengthening our management team, in order to be well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the geothermal energy sector."
Project Status Report
Wellfield optimization is ongoing at Blue Mountain. Long range outlook model outputs have been recently completed in support of banking requirements.
Drilling and other field work funded by Ormat is continuing at Crump Geyser, Oregon by Crump Geothermal Company, LLC a joint venture holding company owned 50:50 by NGP and Ormat including a Department of Energy (DOE) funded well (35-34) which commenced on September 19, 2011.
NGP has successfully transferred ~ US $1.6 million in DOE funding from the North Valley Project to the Pumpernickel Project for a soil-gas survey and slim-well drilling program. The funding (which was awarded under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Geothermal Technologies Program in October 2009), combined with equal funding from NGP, is sufficient to conduct confirmation drilling to demonstrate the viability of geothermal resources at the project. The first phase of work prior to drilling involves environmental studies to fulfill the National Environmental Policy Act requirements which are funded 80 percent by the DOE.
At the New Truckhaven Project in Imperial Valley, NGP is designing a program and commencing permitting work for resource development drilling in 2012.
A thermal gradient hole was drilled to 1460 ft at the North Valley Project near Fernley, North Nevada. Results are pending.
About Nevada Geothermal Power Inc.: Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. operates the Faulkner 1 geothermal plant in Nevada. It is a growing, renewable energy developer focused on producing clean, efficient and sustainable geothermal electric power from high temperature geothermal resources in the United States. NGP currently owns leasehold interests in eight properties: Blue Mountain, Pumpernickel Valley, Edna Mountain and North Valley in Nevada, New Truckhaven, East Brawley and South Brawley, in California and Crump Geyser, in Oregon. These properties are at different levels of exploration and development. NGP estimates a potential of between 200 MW and 450 MW from its current leaseholds.
Investor Inquiries: Paul Mitchell Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. Telephone: 604-688-1553 X118 Direct Line: 604-638-8784 Toll Free: 866-688-0808 X118 Email: pmitchell@nevadageothermal.com