CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Appalachian Power is asking for bidders on up to 50 megawatts of solar energy resources in West Virginia.
The request was made possible by a bill passed by the West Virginia Legislature earlier this year.
The request for proprosal has a minimum bid size of 10 megawatts, an operational date of December 2022, and provides developers the option of including an energy storage system with their proposal.
To be eligible, the site must be in West Virginia and previously used in electric generation, industrial, manufacturing or mining operations to include brownfields, closed landfills, hazardous waste sites, former industrial sites and former mining sites.
Appalachian Power issued the request for proposals as part of the provisions of West Virginia Senate Bill 583, created to further the development of renewable energy resources and renewable energy facilities for solar energy.
“We’re pleased to support this legislation and make this opportunity available in our West Virginia service territory,” said Chris Beam, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer.
“This RFP will help us identify viable large-scale solar projects to reduce customer costs and expand our renewables portfolio, while supporting efforts to repurpose sites that might otherwise be overlooked.”
Under the RFP, Appalachian Power may acquire a single or multiple solar facilities from winning bidders who meet certain economic and operational criteria. Qualifying projects must be operational by Dec. 15, 2022, and qualify for the Federal Investment Tax Credit.
To qualify for consideration, projects must be located in West Virginia and interconnected to Appalachian Power’s West Virginia distribution system or PJM. PJM is the independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, including West Virginia.
Businesses seeking to submit a proposal can access criteria, required forms, and other specifics online at www.appalachianpower.com/rfp. Proposals must be submitted by August 6, 2020. Any solar project selected by Appalachian Power through the RFP process is conditional upon and subject to approval by the required regulatory authorities.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power).