According to the company, the request-for-proposal (RFP) is part of the most recent 2007 Colorado Resource Plan. Xcel Energy is seeking to add up to 700MW of additional wind and solar generation through the RFP.
In addition, the company will consider acquiring up to 600MW from solar thermal generation with storage capability or natural gas backup. Xcel Energy expects to complete the resource evaluation process by fall 2009.
Under the Colorado Public Utilities Commission rules, all forms of electric generation greater than 30MW, both fossil fuels and renewables, can be bid, although this RFP restricts coal-fired bids to those from facilities that capture and sequester at least 50% of their CO2 emissions.
Xcel said that it will sponsor a pre-bid conference on January 28 in Denver, with parties interested in offering power supply proposals to the company through this RFP. Proposals are due on April 10. The company expects to offer “self-build” proposals to compete in the overall process.
Xcel Energy is an electricity and natural gas company with operations in eight Western and Midwestern states in the U.S. The company claims to provide a portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its operating companies.
