Conn. DEEP issues RFP for renewable energy

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has released a request for proposals (RFP) for long-term energy contracts from solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy projects classified as Class I under the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). 

According to the RFP, the DECC is soliciting proposals for Class I renewable energy resources in an amount of up to 4 percent of the load distributed by the state’s electric distribution companies. This equates to approximately 175 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, or 525 MW of wind-equivalent installed capacity.

If the DEEC identifies any proposals that are in the interest of ratepayers, the RFP states that the department can direct these electric distribution companies to enter into power purchase agreements spanning up to 20 years. However, in the event that no projects are found to be in the interest of ratepayers, the RFP specifies that the DEEP can direct the electric distribution companies to not enter into a power purchase agreement for any projects proposed through the solicitation.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Aug. 5. The proposals will be evaluated in two stages. The first evaluation stage includes focuses on whether the proposals satisfy eligibility, threshold and other minimum requirements. The second stage includes a price and non-price evaluation.  According to the DEEP, it intends to evaluate the proposals on an expedited basis in order to maximize the likelihood that selected projects could be eligible for federal tax benefits.

To be eligible, projects must classify as Class I under the Connecticut RPS and must reach commercial operation between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2017.

Connecticut’s RPS requires that the state’s electricity providers supply 27 percent renewable energy to retail customers by 2020, with 20 percent of that sourced from Class I projects.

Additional information on the RFP can be accessed on the DEEP website.