Two Virginia utilities issue solar RFPs totaling 1,400 MW

Dominion Energy Virginia and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative have both issued RFPs seeking hundreds of megawatts of solar power.

Dominion Energy Virginia

Dominion Energy Virginia is seeking proposals from developers for new solar, onshore wind and energy storage projects.

This year’s RFP includes additional guidance for cooperation with local governments and strengthened requirements for environmental justice. Project developers must submit a robust assessment of each project’s impact on environmental justice and, where applicable, demonstrate meaningful engagement with the communities where projects are located. The details of each RFP are as follows:

Utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects

Dominion Energy Virginia is seeking proposals for up to 1,000 MW of solar and onshore wind. The company may either purchase these projects or enter into PPAs with third-party developers. The company also is soliciting bids for up to 100 MW of energy storage projects. Projects must be greater than 3 MW and located in Virginia.

Notices of Intent to Bid and Confidentiality Agreements are due by May 20, 2021. For more information on this RFP, visit the company’s website at www.dominionenergy.com/2021SolarWindStorageRFP. Those interested may also contact the company with questions by emailing 2021SolarWindStorageRFP@dominionenergy.com.

Small-scale solar projects

The company is seeking proposals for up to 175 MW of small-scale solar projects — 80 MW planned for commercial operation in 2023 and another 95 MW for 2024. These projects, also known as Distributed Energy Resources, must be 3 MW or smaller.

Notices of Intent to Bid and Confidentiality Agreements are due by May 20, 2021. For more information on this RFP, visit the company’s website at www.dominionenergy.com/2021DistributedSolarRFP. Those interested may also contact the company with questions by emailing 2021DERSolarRFP@dominionenergy.com.

Community solar projects

The company is seeking proposals for up to 8 MW of solar to support the company’s Community Solar Pilot. Individual projects must be 2 MW_DC or smaller. Notices of Intent to Bid and Confidentiality Agreements are due by May 21, 2021. For more information on this RFP, visit the company’s website at www.dominionenergy.com/communitysolar. Those interested may also contact the company with questions by emailing communitysolar@dominionenergy.com.

Old Dominion Electric Cooperative

Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) has issued a request for proposals from solar energy project developers for up to 400 MW of solar energy and related attributes. The RFP also invites, but does not require, proposals that include battery storage as part of the solar energy project.

ODEC currently has purchase power agreements for 30 MW of solar energy from projects located at two sites in Virginia and is working with developers on an additional 135 MW of utility-scale and local solar power projects to be built at sites in Virginia and Delaware.

“If we can cost-effectively acquire the full 400 MW of energy envisioned by this RFP, ODEC will be increasing the solar power we provide our members by more than tenfold above today’s levels,” said Marcus Harris, president and CEO of ODEC.

Solar developers who wish to submit proposals in response to the RFP can find more information on ODEC’s website or by contacting Scott Bradtmiller with NRCO at scott.bradtmiller@nrco.coop. Responses to the RFP are due by May 27.

Based on the current pace of solar project developments, ODEC estimates that projects procured under this RFP will come online between 2023 and 2025.

News items from Dominion Energy and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/04/two-virginia-utilities-issue-solar-rfps-totaling-1400-mw/