New Puerto Rico renewable energy call seeks 1,000MW

Puerto Rico’s energy regulator PREB has opened the previously announced second tranche of the island’s renewable energy and storage procurement process.

The request for proposals in this stage is for at least 1,000MW of capacity and at least 500MW of storage. Contracts will run 20-25 years, and 10-25 years for virtual power plants.

The deadline to submit clarification requests is October 12 and proposals are due by November 14, according to bidding information.

To achieve renewable energy targets, power utility Prepa, which will serve as the initial contracting party, seeks projects that can achieve commercial operation in no more than 24 months from the date on which a selected proponent executes a contract.

Authorities have mandated that renewables must account for 20% of power generation in 2022, 40% by 2025, 60% by 2040, and 100% by 2050.

Nearly all Puerto Rico’s electricity comes from thermoelectric plants with renewables’ share in the single digits.

In a related note, Luma Energy notified PREB that a wind study has been completed and that it is waiting receipt of the final report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Luma took over transmission and distribution operations from Prepa for 15 years in June 2021.

Read Watchdog pitches offshore wind for Puerto Rico, curbs gas build-out