Arizona utility seeks wind and solar power proposals

February 1, 2010

Arizona’s largest electric utility, Arizona Public Service (APS) Co., has put out two Requests for Proposals (RFPs)seeking new sources of solar photovoltaic energy and wind power.

The photovoltaic RFP seeks power purchase agreements from projects of between 15 and 50MW, using “commercially-proven” technology, to provide around 220,000 megawatt-hours of power each year.

As an alternative to the PPA approach, APS could buy a development project once completed.

The wind RFP seeks wind projects in Arizona of between 15 and 100MW in scale. As with the solar RFP, APS is seeking proposals for either long-term power purchase agreements or “turnkey” deals where it would buy completed wind farms.

Bidders’ teleconferences for the wind RFP and solar RFP are being held on March 17, 2010, with RFP submissions due by April 14, 2010.

Phoenix-based APS, which serves 1.1 million customers in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, is currently seeking to meet a rate settlement agreement set by the Arizona Corporation Commission, for which the RFP will contribute.

Under the state’s Renewable Electricity Standard, the utility must source 15% of its power from renewable supplies by 2025.