Buffett-owned US utility looks for developers for 4.3GW of new wind, solar and storage
PacifiCorp aiming to build enough renewables capacity for 3m homes in states in American west
US utility PacifiCorp is opening its doors to developer proposals for as much as 4.3GW of new wind, solar and battery energy storage capacity in its service territory, which stretches over six western states.
The company, part of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate, wants to add 1.92GW of wind, 1.82GW of PV and 595MW of battery storage – enough to power three million typical homes in the region – by the end of 2024.
PacifiCorp, which does business as rate regulated utilities Pacific Power in California, Oregon and Washington and as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, said it would accept bids featuring different resource types and bid structures, including forms of power-purchase, battery storage, and build-transfer agreements.
Unlike prior integrated resource plans, PacifiCorp will not be submitting any self-build resources and therefore won’t be competing with independent developers on their projects.
PacifiCorp has been among the most aggressive utility groups in adding renewables in the last five years to both clean its coal-heavy generation mix and take advantage of federal tax credits that are either expiring or stepping down in value.
Rocky Mountain Power, for example, will complete installation this year of 1.15GW in new wind capacity and re-powering of older sites in the US state of Wyoming, despite pressure on project timelines cause by Covid-19.
(Copyright)