CPS Energy issues RFI ahead of large renewables procurement

US municipally owned electric and gas utility CPS Energy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) related to a future process to contract up to 900 MW of solar, 50 MW of battery storage and 500 MW of new technology solutions.

The San Antonio, Texas-based company said in a statement on Monday that the RFI will help in the development of a future Request for Proposal (RFP) to incorporate non- or low-emitting generation. Specifically, it will inform the design of two strategic initiatives -- the FlexPOWER Bundle and FlexSTEP.

CPS Energy says that the idea behind the FlexPOWER Bundle package of generation and firming capacity is to supplement 1.7 GW of aging power plants. Through the RFI, the utility also seeks information for innovative solutions and technologies to support the next phase of its energy efficiency programme, known as the Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP).

Launched in 2009, STEP helped save 771 MW though August 2019, or a year ahead of planned. Now, CPS Energy is getting ready to present a new long-term vision for the programme, called FlexSTEP, which should introduce new energy efficiency technologies.

The deadline for questions as part of the RFI is set for August 5 and CPS Energy will look to respond to these questions by August 12. Respondent information submittals are due on August 31, 2020.

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