CPS Energy Issues Solicitation for Up to 700 Megawatts of Solar Energy

May 4, 2023

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
May 4, 2023

Texas public power utility CPS Energy recently issued the first request for proposals as part of the utility’s previously approved generation plan to obtain up to 700 megawatts of additional solar energy for its generation portfolio.

The RFP is the first of a two-part effort to increase solar generation and diversify community solar options for CPS Energy customers. A separate RFP for community solar is under development and will be released in the coming months.

CPS Energy has 551 MW of existing solar capacity and in Fiscal Year 2023, CPS Energy secured  an additional 580 megawatts (MW) of solar, along with 50 MW of storage and 500 MW of natural gas firming capacity. The utility has 1,131 MW of solar generation already under contract.

In January of this year, the utility’s Board of Trustees also voted on and approved a blend of gas, solar, wind and energy storage as part of the generation planning process, aimed at how to power San Antonio into the future.

When the RFP is complete, CPS Energy expects to have over 1,800 MW of solar generation operational or under contract to serve the community in the future.

The deadline to submit proposals in response to the RFP is June 1. After the closing date, CPS Energy will begin evaluations with a goal of making selections in the summer of 2023.

Respondents can view the RFP and must submit information through this link.