AEP Subsidiary’s 150 MW AC Solar Tender

• APCo has launched a tender seeking bidders for 150 MW AC solar power capacity in West Virginia
• It may be accompanied by a BESS that shouldn't be larger than 20% of the MW AC capacity of the solar project
• Projects should be sited on an eligible site which refers to the one previously used for electricity generation, industrial, manufacturing or mining operations

West Virginia, US based electricity utility Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is soliciting proposals for up to 150 MW AC nameplate rated solar energy capacity, with options to include a battery energy storage system, all located within the state.

The request for proposals (RFP) round by the subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc (AEP), will support the provisions of West Virginia (WV) Senate Bill 283 that's devised to support the development of renewable energy resources, especially solar energy and energy storage, in the state.

Through the RFP, APCo will consider facilities interconnected to PJM Interconnection RTO, and that qualify for the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Such projects must commence commercial operations by December 15, 2024 or December 15, 2025.

Projects should be located on eligible sites that refers to any site in WV that was previously used for electricity generation, industrial, manufacturing or mining operations, including but not limited to brownfields, closed landfills, hazardous waste sites, former industrial sites and former mining sites.

Minimum nameplate rated project size a bidder can bid for is 50 MW AC. If it is accompanied by a battery energy storage system (BESS) option, the latter should not be larger than 20% of the nameplate rating or MW AC capacity of the solar project.

"The RFP issued today is our company's second request for bids following the West Virginia legislation," said APCo President and COO, Chris Beam. "Our first request resulted in a signed contract for a 50 MW solar project in Berkeley County, and we are ready and eager to build on that success."

Issued on February 16, 2022, proposals will be accepted till March 31, 2022. Details are available on the utility's website.

APCo counts over 1 million customers in WV, Virginia and Tennessee as its customers. Earlier in January 2022, it filed a renewables plan with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to add around 500 MW of solar and wind energy resources to its portfolio over the next 3 years (see Appalachian Power Eyeing 500 MW RE).