Ensure the continuous supply of 100% of the city’s electricity from renewable energy production in pursuit of the net zero energy goal
Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Utility (BED) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Renewable Energy Resources this week to ensure the city utility is able to continue to supply 100% of the electricity. power from renewable energy generation in Burlington’s pursuit of Net Zero Energy by 2030 Goal. BED will continue to exceed the State of Vermont’s energy requirements by soliciting proposals for renewable energy resources to replace contracts expiring in the next two to five years.
“With this RFP, Burlington Electric further demonstrates our commitment to continue to source 100% renewable energy, even as we move toward greater use of electricity for electric vehicles, heat pumps for cold climate and other clean energy technologies,” said Darren Springer, CEO of BED. “Decision makers often cite the importance of supporting other renewable energy projects in Vermont, and through this RFP, we are doing our part by inviting cost-effective renewable energy projects to Vermont, as well as regional renewable energy projects, to submit competitive proposals to supply a portion of BED’s future energy needs.
Mike Kanarick, manager of customer service, communications and energy service for BED, told VermontBiz, “We have wind and hydroelectric contracts that will come to an end over the next few years. Please note that our issuance of the RFP n is not based on a current deficit, but rather an act of careful and pre-planning by our team based on future positions open several years from now.”
Great River Hydro expires 31/12/2024 and Sheffield Wind expires 19/09/2026. Both are Vermont generation projects. Hancock Wind in Maine expires 10/12/2026.
Burlington was recognized in 2014 as the first city in the nation to source 100% renewable energy and has continued to do so. BED not only derives 100% of its electricity from renewable energy generation, it is also 100% renewable after accounting for sales and purchases of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
In 2019, Mayor Miro Weinberger and BED published the Net zero energy roadmap guide strategic electrification efforts in the thermal and ground transportation sectors and other efforts to reduce emissions in service of the City’s 2030 climate goal.
BED’s strategy of having a mix of utility-owned plants, such as the McNeil plant, the Winooski One hydroelectric plant and solar panels, as well as long-term contracts with renewable energy projects, helps reduce cost pressures for BED customers during a period of historically high prices in the New England region.
For example, in the absence of the McNeil operation, BED would have required an additional estimated 20% rate increase in FY2023 due to volatility in fossil fuel prices in the regional market. Energy.
The expiring resources represent approximately 28% of BED’s power portfolio, which currently has excess power generation resources. The BED tries to maintain a certain availability of excess energy to maintain 100% renewal capacity in years when renewable energy production is lower than forecast.
BED’s preference, in pursuit of a cost-effective energy procurement strategy, is to purchase energy associated with one or more renewable energy generation facilities, rather than generic energy from the New England wholesale market.
Additionally, BED would prefer local Vermont-based proposals and consider resources that exist or are being developed for the New England region.
Interested parties may consult the RPF at burlingtonelectric.com/RFP by clicking on RFP # PS-2022-1. Responses are expected by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022.
www.burlingtonelectric.com Burlington, VT – Burlington Electrical Department 2022-09-29
