DENVER()--Xcel Energy will seek to acquire approximately 2,200 megawatts of
electric generation supply for its Colorado customers between now and
2015, through an all-source request for proposal (RFP) issued today by
the company. The RFP is part of the most recent 2007 Colorado Resource
Plan (CRP) approved by state regulators in December.
Xcel Energy is seeking to add up to 700 megawatts of additional wind and
solar generation through the RFP. In addition, the company will consider
acquiring up to 600 megawatts from solar thermal generation with storage
capability or natural gas backup.
Under Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rules, all forms of
electric generation greater than 30 megawatts – 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 percent of
their carbon dioxide emissions.
“Our request today marks the next important chapter in meeting the
future energy needs of Colorado, and it will have significant emphasis
on ensuring that we add those generation sources that are in keeping
with Xcel Energy’s environmental leadership strategy and the state’s New
Energy Economy,” said Tim Taylor, president and CEO for Public Service
Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy company.
Xcel will sponsor a pre-bid conference on Jan. 28 in Denver, with
parties interested in offering power supply proposals to the company
through this RFP. Proposals are due on April 10. Xcel Energy expects to
offer “self-build” proposals to compete in the overall process.
Xcel Energy expects to complete the resource evaluation process by the
fall of 2009. An independent evaluator selected by the CPUC will perform
a parallel evaluation of proposals.
Complete RFP documents related to the process can be found online at www.xcelenergy.com.
Select the top menu item “Company,” select the left menu item “About
Energy and Rates,” then select left menu item “Energy RFPs” and then
select the link for the “2009 PSCo All-Source RFP.”
One megawatt of generation in Colorado typically serves the needs of
approximately 750 homes. Xcel Energy currently has about 7,700 megawatts
of generation capacity available on its system, either owned or secured
through power-purchase agreements.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern
states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related
products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8
million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies.
Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is
available at www.xcelenergy.com.
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