US Utility Seeking Renewable Energy For New Mexico

• Through an RFP, EPE seeks renewable energy supply for its consumers in New Mexico 
• It needs a minimum of 150,000 MWh annually to meet requirements under the New Mexico RPS 
• Eligible projects need to come online by May 1, 2025, and not delay their commissioning to after May 1, 2027 

US utility El Paso Electric Company (EPE) has launched a request for proposals (RFP) round for guaranteed renewable energy resources with a minimum 150,000 MWh annually. It is open to all forms of renewable energy resources for its customers in New Mexico.  

Through the RFP, EPE wants to source short-term and/or long-term, cost-effective and reliable renewable energy resources, to meet the utility's New Mexico Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements. Under the state's RPS, EPE needs to meet 40% of its retail energy sales to come from renewable energy resources starting in 2025, growing to 50% in 2030. 

It will consider acquiring a single resource or a combination of renewable energy resources, especially those that come bundled with their associate renewable energy certificates (REC) and attributes. The supply should begin by May 1, 2025, but not later than May 1, 2027. 

"EPE may consider whether the proposals can also provide high availability and guaranteed renewable energy production during EPE's peak hours in the months of May through September," reads the RFP.  

The utility's current portfolio includes a mix of natural gas, nuclear and solar energy generation that serves close to 460,000 consumers in residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale segments.  

Launched on October 6, 2023, the RFP will be open for proposal submission till January 5, 2024, according to tender timeline on EPE's website.