News

CPS Energy procures natural gas, solar, storage capacity

The FlexPOWER Bundle initiative aims to further diversify CPS Energy’s power generation mix, adding up to 900 MW of solar, up to 50 MW of energy storage and up to 500 MW of firming capacity.
CPS Energy procures natural gas, solar, storage capacity

San Antonio-based CPS Energy has secured approximately 650 MW of natural gas, solar and energy storage to finalize its FlexPOWER Bundle Initiative.

The FlexPOWER Bundle initiative aims to further diversify CPS Energy’s power generation mix, adding up to 900 MW of solar, up to 50 MW of energy storage and up to 500 MW of firming capacity. The bundle is part of the utility’s wider plan to replace older generation with newer and cleaner technologies. CPS Energy first launched the RFP in 2020.

Here are the details on the latest procurement:

Natural gas: Calpine will provide a total of approximately 500 MW of firming natural gas capacity located in Guadalupe County at the Guadalupe Energy Center. The agreement will make power available to CPS Energy beginning in the Spring of 2023.

Solar: Ashtrom Renewable Energy, in collaboration with OnPeak Power, will provide 100 MW of the El Patrimonio solar project, which will be located in Bexar County. The power purchase agreement is a 20-year contract with an anticipated commercial operation date of May 2025.

Additionally, Ashtrom will contribute funds towards CPS Energy student scholarships, as well as on-site field day mentorship to local students during the construction of the facility in Bexar County. The company will also grant funds toward the construction of an outdoor classroom that can be used for field trip instruction.

Storage: Eolian L.P. (Eolian) will provide CPS Energy the right to dispatch a 50 MW, 2-hour duration energy storage project located in Bexar County. The agreement is a 20-year contract with an anticipated commercial operation date of December 2024.

CPS Energy will issue a new and separate RFP in the first quarter of 2023 to procure up to an additional 320 MW of solar, to include community solar proposals, to add to its generation portfolio.

In 2022, CPS Energy successfully executed agreements for 300 MW of solar capacity with Consolidated Edison Development Inc. and 180 MW with Ashtrom Renewable Energy. 

Tags