The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for offshore wind and tidal renewable energy projects. The Maine State Legislature passed a law this year based on the recommendations of the governor's Ocean Energy Task Force, which is designed to facilitate the development of such offshore wind or tidal projects. Initial proposals are to be submitted to the MPUC by May 1, 2011.
The law directs the MPUC to conduct a competitive solicitation for proposals for long-term contracts to supply installed capacity, associated renewable energy supply, and renewable energy credits from deepwater offshore wind energy pilot projects or tidal energy demonstration projects.
As specified in the new law, the MPUC may authorize one or more long-term contracts for an aggregate total of no more than 30 MW from these projects as long as no more than 5 MW of the total is supplied by tidal energy demonstration projects.
For more information, visit maine.gov.
SOURCE: The Maine Public Utilities Commission
