North American Windpower: U.S. Army Issues $7 Billion Draft RFP For Renewable Energy Generation

U.S. Army Issues $7 Billion Draft RFP For Renewable Energy Generation

by NAW Staff Wednesday February 29 2012

The U.S. Army's Engineering and Support Center in Huntsville, Ala., has issued a draft request for proposals (RFP) for a total of $7 billion in locally generated renewable energy production.

The draft RFP requests wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy generation through power purchase agreements and other contractual equivalents. The $7 billion would be expended for the purchase of energy over a period of 30 years or less from renewable energy projects that are constructed and operated by contractors using private-sector financing.

"Under this contract, we will be buying energy produced, rather than the equipment to produce it," explains Col. Nello Tortora, commander of the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville. “It will complement the suite of contracts we currently have that allow us to award energy projects, and will go a long way toward helping the Army meet its required energy reduction and energy security goals."

The government intends to only purchase the energy that is produced, and not to acquire any generation assets. The contractors will finance, design, build, operate, own and maintain the energy plants. The government will contract to purchase the power for up to 30 years in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in site- or project-specific agreements resulting from task orders awarded under multiple contracts.

Project locations may be on or near any federal property located within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, territories, provinces or other property under the control of the U.S. government for the duration of contract performance.

The final RFP, when issued, may vary from this draft. Any comments regarding this draft solicitation are to be submitted here in accordance with the instructions contained in the draft RFP. The Huntsville Center will use the industry feedback received to develop the final RFP.

The draft solicitation for renewable energy generation is posted here, and will be available for comment for 30 days. No awards will be made from this draft RFP.

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