Arizona utility issues solar, wind proposal requests

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) officials said the company has issued a pair of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for solar and wind resources to aid sustainability and clean energy goals.

The RFPs, which were initially announced in late July, would help expand the company’s renewable energy portfolio to approximately 2,500 megawatts by 2021, which they said translates to enough energy to power more than 500,000 Arizona homes.

The first RFP is seeking proposals for up to 150 megawatts of APS-owned solar resources to be in service by Dec. 31, 2021, while the second RFP will pursue up to 250 megawatts of wind resources to be in service as soon as possible, but no later than 2022.

Authorities said projects associated with the first RFP must employ commercially proven technology and be designed with the flexibility to add energy storage as a future option and as it relates to the second RFP, the utility indicated it would consider both APS-owned resources, as well as those owned by third parties that would sell the output to APS under a power purchase agreement.

APS officials said the company serves about 2.7 million people in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties and is the Southwest’s foremost producer of clean, safe and reliable electricity.

Information about proposal requirements and bidder registration is now available on the APS website.