Tucson Electric Power to seek proposals for wind, solar, energy storage systems
Beginning April 19, 2022, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) intends to issue an All-Source Request for Proposals (ASRFP) designed to reduce its carbon emissions and supply more energy from renewable sources.
The company will target resources such as wind, solar, energy storage systems, and more. Up to 250 MW of renewable and energy efficiency resources, along with 300 MW of firm capacity resources – such as energy storage systems capable of providing at least four hours of continuous energy daily – will be among the bids sought.
“We’re now looking for ways to add even more reliable, cost-effective resources as we build a cleaner, greener grid for our community,” TEP President and CEO Susan Gray said. “We’re especially interested in resources that are consistently available during the late afternoon and early evening hours of summer when customers’ energy needs are greatest.”
These new resources will aid TEP’s pursuit of its 2020 Integrated Resource Plan, which called for it to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent and pivot more than 70 percent of its energy supply to renewable resources by 2035. Last year, the company added 449 MW of new wind and solar resources, bringing its total power produced by renewable resources to about 30 percent.
Proposals are expected to be due by July 1, 2022, and their affiliated projects capable of commencing service as soon as May 1, 2024, but no later than May 1, 2025. Engineering, procurement, and construction contractors interested in making proposals for energy storage must be ready sooner, though, to visit TEP’s build-ready site in Tucson, Ariz., for a site visit on April 28, 2022.
