Duke Energy reports it has received a substantial response to its request for proposals (RFP) for 300 MW of new solar energy capacity in its Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories.
The company's RFP targeted solar facilities greater than 5 MW. It was limited to projects that were in the company's current transmission and distribution interconnection queue as of Feb. 13, when the RFP was issued. Affiliates of Duke Energy were not allowed to participate in the RFP.
The RFP is intended to assist Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress in meeting their respective North Carolina renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standards requirements. The RFP gave bidders the option to offer power and associated renewable energy certificates and/or to provide a proposal through which Duke Energy would acquire the new facility. Duke Energy received both types of bids.
‘The strong response to our RFP reflects on the healthy solar market in North Carolina,’ says Rob Caldwell, vice president of renewable generation development. ‘This RFP could allow Duke Energy to practically double its overall solar capacity in the state.’
Caldwell said the company is evaluating each proposal and hopes to be able to select the winning projects and complete negotiations by Oct. 1. He added all selected projects should be online by Dec. 31, 2015.
