NV Energy has issued a request for proposals (RFP) that could add up to 330 MW of new renewable energy projects to be built in Nevada.
The utility says this additional commitment to renewable energy, which includes the potential integration of battery energy storage systems, will provide enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 200,000 Nevada homes.
“As important as this opportunity is to further the state’s desire for clean energy, equally important is that we expect to deliver these renewable projects to customers without increasing rates,” comments NV Energy President and CEO Paul Caudill.
“Since 2009, NV Energy has more than tripled its in-state renewable energy production, and our electricity prices today are 15 percent lower than they were at that time. We expect these new projects to provide some of the lowest-cost renewable energy available in the market, which will directly benefit our customers,” says Caudill. “In fact, adding these new renewable projects serves to diversify the portfolio we use to provide power across the state and protects against the risk of increases in the price of natural gas used to generate electricity.”
As NV Energy explains, the utility’s RFP seeks solar, geothermal, wind, biomass and biogas technology projects that are compliant with Nevada’s existing renewable portfolio standards. NV Energy will also, for the first time, consider adding supplemental battery energy storage systems that are integrated with the proposed renewable energy resource. Projects will be competitively evaluated on a number of factors, including best value to customers of NV Energy and creation of economic benefits to the State of Nevada.
“Renewable energy projects like these result in employment of construction trades and create longer-term operations and maintenance opportunities,” states Caudill. He notes that the company is ultimately driving to become 100% renewable, but the shorter-term goal is to double its renewable energy delivery to customers by 2023.
Bids are due Feb. 2. Projects proposed by successful bidders would require the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. It is anticipated the projects would be producing energy for customers by 2020 or 2021.
NV Energy requests that all parties interested in becoming a bidder for this opportunity register on the company’s website at nvenergy.com/2018RERFP and follow each of the directives under the “Steps to Complete” section of the website.
