Avista issues request for proposals for energy resources

Rhea-AI Summary

Avista has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to enhance its energy portfolio and meet clean energy goals. The RFP aims to secure power generation and demand management solutions to fulfill resource needs between 2026 and 2030, according to the company's 2021 Electric Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Avista seeks to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045 and carbon neutrality by 2027, with a target of adding approximately 196 MW of winter capacity and 190 MW of summer capacity. Proposals are due by March 25, 2022.

Positive

• Avista's commitment to achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045 and carbon neutrality by 2027.
• The company is actively seeking solutions to enhance its energy portfolio, which can lead to long-term sustainability.
• The RFP seeks a total of approximately 386 MW of capacity, indicating significant growth potential.

Negative

• None.

All source energy solutions sought to add energy, capacity, and renewables to Avista’s portfolio

SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista, through a request for proposal (RFP), is seeking power generation and demand management proposals from bidders to meet its clean energy goals and projected resource needs.

Avista’s 2021 Electric Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filed on April 1, 2021 reflected a need for new resources to meet requirements of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) and future customer peak demand. The IRP is a 20-year forecast of potential generation and energy efficiency resources to meet customer capacity and energy needs for both Idaho and Washington.

“Avista is looking to obtain energy that meets our system capacity needs and brings us closer to our goal of serving customers with 100% clean electricity by 2045 and 100% carbon neutral resources by 2027,” said Jason Thackston, Avista’s senior vice president of energy resources. “We are more than halfway there with our mix of renewable hydropower, biomass, wind and solar. This is one more step to ensure affordable, reliable and clean energy for years to come.”

The all-source RFP seeks generation and demand management resources to meet capacity and energy shortfalls between 2026 and 2030. In addition to renewable energy needs, Avista seeks approximately 196 MW of winter capacity and 190 MW of summer capacity by 2030 for reliability. As part of this RFP, Avista may bid repowering resources and/or Avista self-builds into the RFP. Avista will utilize an Independent Evaluator to participate in the design and assist in evaluating proposals.

The RFP is open to parties who currently own, propose to develop, or hold rights to resources meeting Avista’s requirements for energy and capacity. Parties who offer demand management solutions to lower customer demand during peak winter and summer events will be equally considered. Bidders must also demonstrate an ability to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility as listed in the RFP.

Proposals must satisfy the requirements of the RFP, and Avista expects generation proposals from both new and existing fuel sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen. It also expects energy management solutions from pumped storage, batteries, and demand response.

Avista will consider hybrid proposals including combinations of clean energy, capacity and/or storage. Avista will not accept proposals for Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) only.

RFP responses are due by Friday, March 25, 2022. The RFP and bid instructions are available on the Avista website at: myavista.com/allsourcerfp.

About Avista Utilities

Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 403,000 customers and natural gas to 369,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.

The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.

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Contact:
Media: Annie Gannon, annie.gannon@avistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174

FAQ

What is Avista seeking with the RFP announced on February 18, 2022?

Avista is seeking proposals for power generation and demand management to meet its clean energy goals and projected resource needs.

What are Avista's clean energy goals?

Avista aims for 100% clean electricity by 2045 and 100% carbon neutral resources by 2027.

When are proposals due for Avista's RFP?

Proposals are due by March 25, 2022.

How much capacity is Avista looking to add by 2030?

Avista seeks approximately 196 MW of winter capacity and 190 MW of summer capacity by 2030.

What types of energy sources is Avista considering in its RFP?

Avista is considering proposals from new and existing sources, including wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen.