ROSWELL, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Xcel Energy’s Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) is seeking
proposals for renewable resources other than wind or solar as part of
its plan to diversify its renewable energy portfolio.
SPS is seeking, on an annual basis, approximately 88,705 MWh
(megawatt-hours) of “other” renewable energy generation as defined by
the New Mexico Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), or an equivalent
amount of biogas of approximately 665,300 MMBtu (one million British
thermal units) to be in commercial operation no later than January 1,
2015. SPS prefers that the biomass resources be located in New Mexico.
This solicitation will enable the company to comply with regulatory
requirements in New Mexico that call for 15 percent of the company’s New
Mexico retail sales to be derived from renewable resources by 2015. As
part of the diversity requirement, 10 percent of the total renewable
resource requirement must consist of “other” technologies such as
biomass, hydro, or geothermal.
Contracts are subject to explicit regulatory approval by the New Mexico
Public Regulation Commission.
Bidders are required to submit a Notice of Intent to Bid no later than
Friday, August 31. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight
Time on Monday, October 1. Interested parties may access a copy of the
RFP at www.xcelenergy.com/About_Us/Our_Company/Projects_and__RFPs
after 3 p.m. MDT, July 31.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern
states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related
products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9
million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies.
Xcel Energy’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information
is available at www.xcelenergy.com.
Potential contracts entered into will be subject to the Reasonable
Cost Threshold, which is a monetary cap established by Rule 572 of the
Renewable Energy Act. If the renewable energy resource cost exceeds the
RCT, a public utility is not required to add renewable energy to its
electric energy supply portfolio. The RCT encompasses all resources used
for compliance with the RPS. The Commission has issued a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking in Case No. 11-00218-UT, which addresses the
composition of the RPS and also the calculation of the RCT. A final
Commission decision in the rulemaking may impact SPS's evaluation and
procurement of additional renewable resources pursuant to the renewable
portfolio standard.
Xcel Energy
Wes Reeves, 806-679-7773
Media Relations
www.xcelenergy.com
Source: Xcel Energy