Appalachian Power Seeks Solar Energy Proposals In Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. — Appalachian Power has issued pre-qualification documents for parties interested in bidding on an up-coming Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to 10 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of ground-mounted solar energy resources located in Virginia. The RFP will seek proposals that allow Appalachian either to own one or more solar projects or purchase such solar projects’ output under one or more 20-year renewable energy purchase agreements. The approved solar project of a pre-qualified bidder must be located within Virginia, be interconnected to the PJM Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) or Appalachian Power’s distribution system, and have a nameplate rating […]

By Derick Lila November 14, 20150

ROANOKE, Va. — Appalachian Power has issued pre-qualification documents for parties interested in bidding on an up-coming Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to 10 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of ground-mounted solar energy resources located in Virginia.

The RFP will seek proposals that allow Appalachian either to own one or more solar projects or purchase such solar projects’ output under one or more 20-year renewable energy purchase agreements.

The approved solar project of a pre-qualified bidder must be located within Virginia, be interconnected to the PJM Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) or Appalachian Power’s distribution system, and have a nameplate rating of 5 MWac or more. An approved project must have started construction after Jan. 1, 2013, and be capable of being operational by Dec. 31, 2017.

Potential bidders can find additional qualification information and required forms at: http://www.appalachianpower.com/go/rfp. Pre-qualification forms must be returned via email by Dec. 4, 2015.

Solar projects selected by Appalachian through the RFP process will be submitted to, and be conditioned upon receipt of appropriate orders from, the required regulatory authorities.

Appalachian Power currently has 375 MW of wind energy and 799 MW of hydro generation in its portfolio of power generation. It seeks to further diversify its fuel sources in the future and include utility-scale solar power in that mix.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 32,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.