Minnesota Power is seeking power-supply proposals for up to 300 MW of wind generation beyond the 625 MW of wind it already has on its system.
Minnesota Power has released the first in a series of Requests for Proposals as part of the company’s broad resource evaluation process to further its EnergyForward strategy.
EnergyForward calls for a diversified power supply to meet customers’ needs reliably and cost effectively in an environmentally responsible manner. Minnesota Power will consider the costs and characteristics of the proposals received, and analyze whether they are beneficial resource additions for its customers.
In approving Minnesota Power’s integrated resource plan in June, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission asked the company to consider additional wind, solar, and demand-side management alternatives as part of its ongoing resource evaluation process.
In the initial Request for Proposal (RFP), Minnesota Power, a division of ALLETE Inc. is seeking power-supply proposals for up to 300 MW of wind generation beyond the 625 MW of wind it has on its system. The company seeks to purchase low-cost renewable energy that fully maximizes the benefits of the extended Federal Production Tax Credit for wind projects on behalf of its customers.
This wind power would be purchased under a long-term power purchase agreement subject to regulatory approvals. Proposals are due by September 7, 2016.
Over the next several weeks, Minnesota Power also will issue formal RFPs for up to 300 MW of utility-scale solar generation that qualifies under Minnesota’s Solar Energy Standard, and utility-scale demand response and onsite generation resources.
Through its EnergyForward resource strategy, Minnesota Power has been transforming its energy supply to a more balanced mix that relies less on coal and more on renewable energy sources while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.
The company met Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 25% of retail sales to be generated by renewable energy by 2025, a decade early. By 2015, 26% of Minnesota Power’s retail and wholesale electric sales were from renewable energy sources.
Filed Under: News, Policy, Projects
