Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities issue RFP for solar, wind and hydro

Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects that will begin in 2026.

Proposals must provide at least 75 megawatts of energy. They can also include bids for purchasing power, purchasing new or existing renewable power generating facilities, and build-transfer transactions.

The proposals also represent energy supplies that would be in addition to LG&E and KU’s generation investment plans, which the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved last fall.

The companies received regulatory approval to build a 640-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle generating unit at Mill Creek Generating Station. It will add more than 1,000 megawatts of solar energy and battery storage while retiring two aging coal-fired generating units and several gas peaking units.

“We have an all-of-the-above approach that’s balanced and flexible for our power generation fleet, and achieved last year power reliability for our customers that was among the best in the nation,” John Crockett, president of LG&E and KU, said. “We, with our parent company PPL, are pursuing a comprehensive clean energy strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while preserving reliability and affordability for our 1.3 million customers. We are continually evaluating a number of energy resources and exploring innovative solutions that will continue to best serve Kentucky and our customers’ needs and interests.”

The projects may also be considered as an energy supply source for LG&E and KU’s Green Tariff program. That occurs when the company partners with businesses and industrial customers to create custom renewable energy solutions, combining the Green Energy and Business Solar programs and Renewable Power Agreements for those interested in purchasing renewable power.

Parties interested in participating in the RFP can submit proposals by June 21. LG&E and KU expect to complete evaluations by Oct. 31.

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities are part of the PPL Corporation. LG&E serves 335,000 natural gas and 436,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, while KU serves 545,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and 28,000 customers in five counties in Virginia.