Xcel Energy has made a request for proposals (RFP) for new power on January 9, 2009 and the deadline for all bids is today.
A combination of steam and gas would be used to power the Siemens facility, which would be designed to satisfy Excel Energy’s requirement for facilities that can begin rapidly and generate a high number of megawatts in less amount of time.
Joe Keefe of Colorado Energy Management stated that the firm’s present Brush facilities can generate 150 MW of power in nearly two hours of startup, and the Siemens proposal could touch the same level in nearly 10 minutes.
The plant would utilize a steam-to-air system instead of water for cooling requirements because of shortage of water supplies in the area.
The new facility would generate 13 permanent jobs with extra 300 jobs required at peak construction time.
Construction of the plant is expected to commence by January 2011 and finish in May 2013 if the firm’s plan is authorized.
Xcel Energy will issue a list of bid finalists by June 1, 2009 and a power purchase agreement would be given to the best bidder by November 2009.
