Purpose of RFP Filing
Regional growth, the expiration of large purchased-power contracts in coming years and the potential retirement of aging power plants are the principal drivers behind PSE's need for additional power supplies. PSE's latest Integrated Resource Plan, published in July 2009, estimates that the utility will need the equivalent of about 1,600 megawatts (MW) of new electricity supply by winter 2016-17 to meet customers' needs. Since filing its IRP, PSE has refined its resource-need analysis and concluded the resource need is higher than stated in the plan. As a result, PSE filed the 2009 IRP Addendum in late January 2010 , which increases the amount of resources sought in the RFP. The new need was presented at the proposal conference on Jan. 28, 2010.
To help ensure that PSE acquires resources for our customers at the lowest reasonable cost, the Company filed a Request for Proposals from All Generation Sources ("All Source RFP") and a Request for Proposals for Electric and Gas Demand-Side Resources ("Energy Efficiency RFP") (collectively, "RFPs") with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ("WUTC").
Energy Efficiency RFP
The Energy Efficiency RFP seeks to enhance PSE's already aggressive programs for helping customers use less energy. PSE estimates that energy efficiency could lower the utility's power-capacity need by about 500 MW by 2016. By 2029, PSE calculates, customers' energy-saving efforts have the potential to offset the power requirements of 400,000 households – and forestall the need to build four average-sized natural gas-fired power plants. The updated resource plan also identifies 90 million therms of achievable natural-gas savings by PSE customers, enough to satisfy the total gas needs of 108,000 households.
The energy-efficiency RFP invites qualified firms to offer services in 2010 and 2011 that complement or improve upon PSE's existing energy-saving programs for residential, commercial and industrial customers.
All Source RFP
The All-Source RFP asks outside power producers, marketers, and power-plant developers to help PSE procure approximately 1,000 MW of new electricity resources by 2016. While PSE anticipates energy efficiency, renewable power and gas-fired generation will be its dominant sources of new power supply in coming years, the RFP will consider any viable power-supply offering or technology that can be in operation by 2016. PSE will consider various contract arrangements, such as investment in existing power plants, ownership of new plants, or long-term power purchases.
Schedule
The expected timeline for PSE's 2010 RFP solicitation is shown below. The Company will host a proposal conference on Jan. 28, 2010 to discuss proposal requirements and our evaluation process, and to address questions from potential respondents and other interested parties. The meeting will be held at PSE's Bellevue, Washington campus on Jan. 28, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. To R.S.V.P. for this conference, email sheri.maynard@pse.com.
| Oct. 12, 2009 |
Draft RFP filed with WUTC |
| Oct. 29, 2009 |
PSE public meeting on Draft RFP |
| Dec. 11, 2009 |
Public comments due |
| Dec. 23, 2009 |
WUTC approved Draft RFP |
| Jan. 12, 2010 |
Final RFP solicitation released |
| Jan. 28, 2010 |
PSE hosts proposal conference |
| March 2, 2010 |
All Source RFP offers due to PSE Confidentiality Agreements are due by Feb. 15, 2010. |
| March 5, 2010 |
Demand Side RFP offers due to PSE Confidentiality Agreements are due by March 5, 2010 with proposals. |
Questions or comments regarding the Demand Side Resources RFP may be sent to rich.hazzard@pse.com. Questions or comments regarding the All Generation Sources RFP may be sent to sheri.maynard@pse.com. If you are not on our email distribution list but would like to be, please email your contact information to sheri.maynard@pse.com.
Thank you for your interest in PSE's RFP process.
2010 RFP Filing Letter
All Generation Sources RFP
RFP for All Generation Sources
Exhibit A, Evaluation Criteria
Exhibit B, Proposal Requirements
Exhibit C, Summary Data Form
Exhibit D, Energy Delivery (12x24) – Wind, Solar, Tidal and Wave (Excel file)
Exhibit E, Capital Costs and Operating Expenses (Excel file)
Exhibit F, Mutual Confidentiality Agreement
Exhibit G, Schedule of Estimated Avoided Cost
Exhibit H, Prototype Ownership Agreement Term Sheet
Exhibit I, Prototype Gas Tolling Agreement Term Sheet
Exhibit J, Prototype Wind Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Term Sheet
Note: To use the Excel file templates identified above, click on the file link, select save and select a location on your computer. You will then be able to complete the form fields as directed.
Demand Side Resources RFP ("Energy Efficiency")
RFP for Electric and Gas Demand Side Resources
Exhibit A, Proposal Cover Letter
Exhibit B, Proposal Summary Document (Word file)
Exhibit C, Proposal Cost Summary Document (Word file)
Exhibit D, Measure Metrics Summary Document
Exhibit E, Measure Lives Documents
Exhibit F, Conservation Cost Effectiveness Standard
Exhibit G, Doing Business with PSE Documents
Note: To use the Word file templates identified above, click on the file link, select save and select a location on your computer. You will then be able to complete the form fields as directed.
Glossary and acronyms
Frequently asked questions (Updated Nov. 5, 2009)
Oct. 29, 2009 public meeting on Draft RFP
Download a PDF of the presentation
View the Attendee list
Jan. 28, 2010 proposal conference
All Source RFP presentation
Demand Side Resources presentation
View the Attendee list
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