The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) is soliciting competitive proposals for renewable energy projects and energy storage solutions consistent with California's Renewable Energy Resources Program and Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, including amendments under SB 100. This rolling RFP seeks proposals for renewable resources with commercial operation or delivery starting in 2021 and beyond, supporting SCPPA's pathway to 100% fossil-fuel free electricity by 2045.
Proposals may take one of three forms: (i) project ownership by SCPPA, (ii) a power purchase agreement with an ownership option, or (iii) a power purchase agreement without an ownership option. Eligible renewable energy resource categories include wind, geothermal, biomass, biomethane, hydro, solar (photovoltaic and thermal), municipal solid waste/waste-to-energy, fuel cells utilizing renewable fuel, permanent load shifting, and renewable energy credits (RECs) only. Energy storage solutions of all types are open for consideration if cost-effective. SCPPA member agencies have set targets of 147 MW of energy storage by 2021, with many seeking additional capacity beyond these targets. For renewable projects with energy storage components, energy storage capacity must be at least one-half the total capacity of the renewable resource with a minimum duration of 4 hours.
Proposals must be RPS compliant (preferably Portfolio Content Category 1) and must comply with California's emissions performance standard (EPS) regulations. The seller must assume risk for maintaining compliance should changes in law render the facility non-compliant. Projects must be delivered to specified points of delivery within CAISO, LADWP Balancing Authority, or Imperial Irrigation District service areas. Delivery term options range from a minimum of 1 year with no maximum, accommodating both short-term and long-term delivery requests. Pricing options include variable index energy price plus fixed capacity/REC price, variable energy price, fixed energy price (preferred), and energy storage pricing structures.
Key dates include an issuance date of February 21, 2020, and a response deadline of December 30, 2020. This is a rolling RFP, allowing proposals to be submitted at any time during 2020 after the issue date. SCPPA reserves the right to review proposals throughout the process, contact proposers to start negotiations, and execute agreements before the final deadline. The project must be certified as renewable-compliant by the California Energy Commission no later than 6 months after Commercial Operation Date (COD) and WREGIS-certified no later than 3 months before COD.