Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) Co. recently issued a Request for Proposals from utility-scale solar power providers for up to 450 MW of nameplate solar energy resources through 2025.
OG&E, through this RFP, is soliciting bids from solar farms with a minimum capacity of 50 MW and maximum of 450 MW nameplate solar, with a preference for annual capacity increments of up to 150 MW over the next three years.
OG&E’s Utility Operations Vice President Donnie Jones said, “This RFP represents OG&E’s largest solar investment and will add more renewables into the generation mix that powers our customers’ homes and businesses with reliable, affordable electricity customers expect.”
The utility has completed three solar developments with an aggregate solar energy capacity of 22.5 MW since 2015, when it launched its universal solar energy program with the first solar installation at Mustang Energy Center near Oklahoma City. EDF Renewables handled the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the project for the off-taker OG&E.
The new RFP will further increase OG&E’s solar energy capacity. So-called "Universal solar" provides customers the opportunity to add solar energy to their personal energy portfolios without paying for expensive rooftop solar panels.
The utility is accepting bids from qualified outside parties with locations within the Southwest Power Pool transmission network, preferably located within its service territory in Oklahoma or Arkansas.
Deadline for proposals is March 3, and can include either stand-alone photovoltaic installations or hybrid projects featuring a combination of PV and energy storage systems.
OG&E provides service to about 900,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas.