Solar panels at the CPS Energy facility at 9800 W. Commerce generate 5 megawatts of power.
Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff photographer
San Antonio Express-News
Sara DiNatale, Staff writer
CPS Energy seeking proposals to add another 700 megawatts of solar generation
Published: Fri, 05/19/23
CPS Energy seeking proposals to add another 700 megawatts of solar generation
Solar panels at the CPS Energy facility at 9800 W. Commerce generate 5 megawatts of power.
Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff photographer
San Antonio Express-News
Sara DiNatale, Staff writer
CPS Energy is seeking bids from developers to obtain as much as 700 megawatts of additional solar generation as it continues working to shutter outdated gas- and coal-fired plants.
The deadline for proposals is June 1 and CPS said it plans to make its selections this summer.
“We know that clean energy is important to our community, and our (request for proposals) for up to 700 megawatts of solar capacity will secure more energy for our growing community in the near future,” CEO Rudy Garza said in a statement. “We ... will work to select the providers that align with both CPS Energy’s and our community’s needs.”
Contracting for commercial solar generation is the first step in a two-part plan to increase the amount of solar in the portfolio of sources CPS employs to power San Antonio. It says it’s working on a second proposal process focused on community solar options, which would allow customers to purchase panels for a solar array to offset their utility bills.
In February, CPS signed deals with three companies to secure contracts for 580 megawatts of solar power, 50 megawatts of storage and 500 megawatts of gas-fired capacity.
The efforts to add more solar generation are part of CPS’ plans to shutter its aging Braunig Power Station and O.W. Sommers natural gas-fired plants by 2026.
sara.dinatale@express-news.net