Nevada State Office of Energy Seeks Renewable Energy Proposals
The Nevada State Office of Energy (“NSOE”) announced on March 16, 2010, that is it has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for renewable energy projects under the $8M+ Revolving Loan Program. Projects must be no more than 60kW in size for solar PV and 20kW maximum for wind turbines and solar thermal. Loan terms will be less than 15 years and interest rates three percent or lower. Applicants may apply for a minimum of $200,000 and a maximum of $1,645,000, and must be able to enter a loan contract prior to June 30, although projects may begin after that date. It is the intent of the RFP to approve a minimum of five applications. The solicitation may close at any time upon determination by the Director of the Nevada State Office of Energy that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received to satisfy the needs of the RFP. If the RFP fails to produce a sufficient number of eligible applicants the Director may consider granting loans exceeding the published maximum amount.*
Interested parties should go to http://energy.nv.gov/recovery/RevolvingLoan.htm or contact Robert Nellis, Energy Program Manager at (775) 687-1850 x7304 for more information.
*Request For Proposal No. 0001 for ARRA Revolving Loan Program For Renewable Energy Systems Release, dated March 15, 2010.
APS Announces Wind and Solar RFPs
On January 27, Arizona Public Service (APS) announced two requests for proposals (RFPs), one for new sources of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy and the other for Arizona-based wind.
The RFP for solar PV seeks proposals for projects that are between 15 and 50 megawatts and that employ commercially proven technology. APS's goal is to procure approximately 220,000 megawatt hours per year from this PV solicitation. Respondents are required to provide proposals for long-term power purchase agreements and/or "turn-key" agreements. The latter are sometimes called BTAs (Build-Transfer Agreements) or DBS (Design-Build-Sell) agreements--however named, APS anticipates that the agreement would require the developer to build the project and transfer it to APS when the project is completed. (As an aside, turn-key agreements that do not transfer the asset until commercial operation require very careful attention to "notice to proceed" clauses and conditions, lest defects in title, permits or some other matter thwart the closing and leave the developer's asset unsold or, worse, stranded.)
In its press release, APS encouraged parties to participate in the photovoltaic RFP bidder's conference on March 12, 2010. Additional information about the conference and the RFP is available online at www.aps.com/rfp. RFP submissions are due April 7, 2010.
On the wind side, APS is looking for wind projects between 15 and 100 megawatts located entirely within Arizona. Respondents are required to provide proposals for long-term power purchase and/or "turn-key" agreements. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the Arizona-based wind RFP bidder's teleconference on March 17, 2010. Additional information about the conference and the RFP is available online at www.aps.com/rfp. RFP submissions are due April 14, 2010.
