Xcel Energy Seeking 'Non-Wind' Renewable Energy for Southwest

AMARILLO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2006--Xcel Energy has issued a request for proposals for about 40,500 megawatt-hours of annual renewable energy or renewable energy certificates to be generated from renewable technologies other than wind turbines.
The energy or renewable energy certificates (RECs) must be available by Sept. 30, 2010. The energy would serve customers of Xcel Energy's Southwestern Public Service Company in the South Plains and Panhandle of Texas, eastern and southeastern New Mexico, the Oklahoma Panhandle and southwest Kansas.
Eligible technologies are: solar, hydropower, geothermal, fuel cells that are not fossil-fueled, landfill gas and anaerobically digested waste biomass, and biomass - including fuels such as agricultural and animal waste, small diameter timber, salt cedar and other phreatophyte or woody vegetation removed from watersheds or river basins in New Mexico. Eligible RECs will be documents evidencing enumerated renewable energy kilowatt-hours have been generated from an eligible renewable energy generating facility.
Bidders may propose to supply all or any of the requested 40,500 MWh as (1) energy and associated RECs generated and delivered on an as-available basis from an eligible technology; (2) capacity, energy and associated RECs generated on a firm basis from an eligible technology; (3) RECs without associated energy, subject to provisions of New Mexico regulatory requirements at 17.9.572.13 NMAC. Generators that sell both energy and RECs must deliver to the SPS transmission or distribution system in New Mexico or Texas. Generators that sell only RECs without associated energy must be located in New Mexico.
The RFP is available at www.xcelenergy.com/RFP and through RFP Project Manager John Lupo at john.lupo@xemkt.com. Notice of Intent to Bid forms are due April 21; proposals are due June 5.
Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in 10 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.