The provincial government of Alberta in Canada has issued a request for proposal (RFP) round to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) equivalent to 135,000 MWh of solar-generated electricity annually for the next 20 years.
The government is seeking proposals for large-scale solar energy providers to meet about 55% of its annual electricity needs. The Ministry of Infrastructure in Alberta developed the RFP in consultation with electricity providers and the renewable energy industry. It aims to sign contracts before Spring 2019.
Interested bidders have time until November 8, 2018 to submit proposals through Alberta government's Alberta Purchasing Connection website.
Two years back, in October 2016, Alberta had published a request for information (RFI) to seek advice on potential cost and the best approach to procure solar power for half of government operations for 135,000 MWh annually by setting up its first solar farm in Western Canada (see Canadian Province Solar RFI).
"Alberta has the best solar resources in Canada and it is time to take advantage of this incredible opportunity right in our backyard. We are looking for solar solutions to deliver the equivalent of more than half of government's annual electricity needs, working to reduce pollution while creating jobs and growing Alberta's economy," said Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister responsible for the Climate Change Office in Alberta, Shannon Phillips.
The province plans to add 5 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 under its Climate Leadership Plan to replace coal-fired electricity generation with cleaner energy sources. To achieve this objective, Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is working on a competitive bidding process to build renewable energy projects. In April 2018, it tendered 700 MW of renewable energy capacity in two rounds to be commissioned by 2021 (see Alberta Launches RE Tender Rounds).