Southwest Utilities Requesting CSP

A multi-state consortium of southwestern energy service providers is searching for a company to build a utility-scale concentrating solar plant.

The group has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a plant to be owned by a third-party with consortium members each signing long-term purchase power agreements.

The size, design and location of the new solar project is to be determined by the RFP submissions, but is expected to produce 250 megawatts (MW) and be located in either Arizona or Nevada. When completed, it would be the largest solar power plant in either state.

A concentrating solar plant uses the sun to heat a liquid that can directly or indirectly drive a turbine.

The Southwest Energy Service Provider’s Consortium for Solar Development (aka Joint Development Group) was formed with the goals of reducing solar energy costs and increasing efficiency through economies of scale. Members of the group include Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Southern California Public Power Authority, Tucson Electric Power and Xcel Energy.

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) is headquartered in Benson, AZ. Since 1961, it has been a customer-owned utility producing electricity at Apache Generating Station, a power plant in Cochise County. AEPCO’s member cooperatives currently provide electric service to more than 120,000 customers in the Southwest. Those electric cooperatives are: Anza Electric in Anza, CA; Graham County Electric in Pima, AZ; Duncan Valley Electric in Duncan, AZ; Mohave Electric in Bullhead City, AZ; Sulphur Springs Valley Electric in Willcox, AZ; and Trico Electric in Marana, AZ.

Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the largest subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW)

Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) is a California non-profit joint action agency responsible for the development of generation and transmission projects. For more information, visit www.scppa.org.

Salt River Project (SRP) is the largest provider of power to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 925,000 electricity customers. For more information, visit www.srpnet.com.

Tucson Electric Power, a subsidiary of UniSource Energy (NYSE: UNS), provides safe, reliable electric service to nearly 395,000 customers in southern Arizona. For more information, visit TEP.com. For more information about UniSource Energy, visit uns.com.

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.