PacifiCorp submits 19 shortlisted projects for renewables solicitation in Oregon

As part of its largest renewable energy solicitation ever — nearly 3,250 MW in all — PacifiCorp has added 19 projects to a shortlist of bids that it delivered to state regulators earlier this month. 

PacifiCorp, already the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the Western U.S., would see its renewable offerings rise still higher in six states due to the proposals. Between its two retail service divisions, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power, the company serves customers in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. 

“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 and acquisitions, said. “The results of this competitive all-source RFP deliver the best new resources the West has to offer and will enable our customers and communities across the West to benefit from low-cost clean energy to grow their economies and run their businesses and homes.”

While the bids vary in size, scope, and targeted area, among other things they could provide:

• 1,641 MW of wind capacity in Wyoming
• 151 MW of wind capacity in Idaho
• 210 MW of solar (including 52.5 MW of installed battery capacity) in Oregon, the company’s largest investment to date in Oregon’s solar market
• 1,243 MW of solar (including 682 MW of installed battery capacity and one 200 MW standalone battery) in Utah

Each project could join PacifiCorp’s system by 2024. They were selected through a competitive all source request for proposals that began last year. 

“These are all outstanding projects that will serve customer needs,” Link said. “The battery resources complement the addition of more renewable energy by providing the flexibility needed to smooth imbalances between supply and demand. We are excited to add significant storage resources to our system. This type of flexibility is increasingly critical to maintaining reliable service, and we anticipate there will be a growing need for a broad range of storage technologies into the future. Taken together, these projects advance our carbon reduction goals and those of our customers while maintaining reliability and affordability.”