Approximately 70,000 energy customers in Arizona will benefit from the U.S.' first solar power facility that can store its own energy, UPI reports the secretary of the Energy Department said on Wednesday.

Abengoa Solar, which was approved for a $1.45 billion loan guarantee by the Energy Department, is now believed to be planning construction of the biggest solar power plant of its particular type anywhere on the globe.

"As today's announcement and other recent announcements of completed loan guarantees for wind and solar projects demonstrate, the department's loan program is gaining momentum, creating jobs in communities across the country while putting us on the path to a clean energy future," according to the statement from Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary.

Though neither the Energy Department nor Abengoa Solar noted when the 250-megawatt facility will begin development, construction is well underway. Operations for commercial purposes should begin within 36 months, according to Abengoa Solar.

The plant "will include six hours of molten salt thermal energy storage capability, which will allow energy to be dispatched as needed during cloudy periods and after sunset," according to Abengoa Solar.