Jan 13 2008
Xcel Energy today announced that it is seeking new solar power generation as part of its ongoing commitment to generate more power from clean, renewable energy sources. The company issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) that would add approximately 25 megawatts of utility-scale, solar power to its generation portfolio.
The RFP may yield more than one plant and technology based on the bids. The location will be determined by the bids that are submitted to the company. The company will compare bids received in response to this RFP with the costs of buying solar power through utility consortia that have been formed to develop larger scale solar facilities in other states.
Meeting the Colorado Renewable Energy Standard of 20 percent by 2020 will require the company to have more than 100 megawatts of solar power on its system. The solar project or projects that the company is soliciting would generate a minimum of 60,000-megawatt hours of renewable energy credits per year.
“Combining generation from these projects with that from our other solar projects already online will give us a stronger foothold in meeting the state’s Renewable Energy Standard,” said Karen Hyde, vice president of resource planning and acquisitions. "We anticipate that we will be in full compliance with the new renewable energy standard by 2020."
The solar power project or projects are projected to come online between 2009 and 2012. Complete RFP documents can be found online at: www.xcelenergy.com/energyRFPs