PacifiCorp seeks competitively priced energy projects to add to 10-state transmission system

A competitive request for proposals (RFP) was issued by PacifiCorp this week, granting renewable energy projects the opportunity to participate in the company’s largest request to date.

The transmission system at PacifiCorp’s disposal reaches across 10 states, but this RFP will specifically benefit its subsidiary Rocky Mountain Power, already the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the West. In all, the PacifiCorp called for 1,823 MW of new solar resources, 595 MW of new battery energy storage, and 1,920 MW of new wind resources within three years. Put together that should be enough to power almost 3 million homes.

“These projects represent PacifiCorp’s longstanding and enduring commitment to create an energy future that is affordable, reliable, and increasingly sustainable,” Rick Link, PacifiCorp vice president of resource planning, said. “Our All-Source RFP is a catalyst to help realize that future and enable our customers and communities across the West to benefit from lower-cost renewable energy to grow their economies, run their businesses and homes.”

Different resources and options, be they power-purchase, battery storage, or build-transfer agreement, are welcome to bid. What’s more, independent developers will not have to compete with any self-build ideas — PacifiCorp has taken a hands-off approach to the bidding. The one caveat is that any projects put forward must be able to reach commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2024, though some wiggle room will be allowed for long-lead projects like pumped storage.

Before issuing the RFP, PacifiCorp met with stakeholders in five states and hosted 18 meetings for public input over nearly two years. The present plan stemmed from information gleaned in those meetings, with a focus on keeping costs and risks low and expanding clean energy.