Solar

Appalachian Power requests wind, solar, BESS, REC proposals

Appalachian Power requests wind, solar, BESS, REC proposals
Appalachian Power has issued requests for new renewable energy projects (courtesy: Appalachian Power)

Appalachian Power (APCo), an American Electric Power company, is pursuing additional wind and solar generation resources and co-located and standalone battery energy storage resources, per three newly-issued requests for proposals (RFPs).

The RFPs were issued on May 13 for wind, solar, battery energy storage systems, and renewable energy certificates. Under the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), Appalachian Power must meet annual escalating Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) requirements to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to its Virginia customers by 2050. In addition to complying with the requirements in the VCEA, the company is soliciting bids for West Virginia-sited solar and battery energy storage resources in support of West Virginia Senate Bill 583.

“The advertised RFPs play an important role in helping us meet our clean energy commitments,” said Aaron Walker, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer. “These projects will also support local communities by generating jobs and tax base.”

The RFPs are listed below. The hyperlinks should take you to the full PDF of each RFP:

  • Wind, Solar, and BESS (PSA): Up to 800 MW wind, solar and/or co-located or standalone battery energy storage systems RFP via one or more purchase and sale agreements (PSAs) for purchase of 100% equity interest in a project company. Bidders may propose completed or development-stage projects that achieve a commercial operation date of no later than Dec. 15, 2028.
    To qualify for consideration, projects must interconnect to the PJM Interconnection L.L.C. RTO or the APCo distribution system, and be located within the PJM footprint, with a preference for projects located in Virginia or West Virginia on Eligible Sites. Projects that interconnect to PJM must be at least 50 MW in size for wind and solar and 10 MW in size for battery energy storage systems. In addition, projects that interconnect to the APCo distribution system must be at least 10 MW in size.
  • Wind and Solar (PPA): Up to 300 MW wind and/or solar RFP via one or more long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the purchase of the energy, capacity, and environmental attributes (including renewable energy certificates) from the project. To qualify for consideration, projects must be at least 50 MW in size for wind and 5 MW in size for solar and be operational by Dec. 31, 2028. In addition, projects must interconnect to the PJM Interconnection L.L.C. RTO or the APCo distribution system.
  • Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): RFP for renewable energy certificates produced from eligible renewable resources. Bidders may submit proposals for contract terms between 5 and 30 years beginning Jan. 1, 2027; however, alternative terms will also be considered.

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in the RFPs. The proposal due date is July 16, 2024.

Appalachian Power encourages the use of local goods or services sourced, in whole or in part, from one or more Virginia or West Virginia-based businesses in the construction and/or operation of the projects or United States-based manufacturers using materials or product components made in Virginia, West Virginia, or the United States. Projects must conform to the requirements in the Virginia Environmental Justice Act (Virginia Code §§ 2.2-234, et. seq.).

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