Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Power Supply Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RPU updates council on power-supply plan; staff says city is about two-thirds of the way to 100% net renewables by 2030
Summary
RPU staff reported progress toward a 100% net-renewable electricity goal by 2030 but said the utility still needs additional capacity to replace retiring wholesale supply; staff plans an expanded RFP and market tests this year to fill the remaining gap.
Rochester Public Utilities staff told council members the city’s power-supply plan balances reliable capacity for peak days with the goal of reaching 100% net renewable energy by 2030 and that about two-thirds of the renewable energy target is currently assumed under existing contracts.
Bill Bullock, who is leading the power-supply planning work for RPU, said the utility has executed several contracts, implemented battery storage agreements, and completed an interconnection agreement for Mount Simon Station at substantially lower-than-expected interconnection cost. "Our plan always has been a balance between the reliable capacity that we need to meet a peak day... and the renewable energy that we need in order to achieve the 100% net renewable goal by 2030," Bullock said.
Bullock acknowledged remaining risks — federal permitting delays for some large wind projects, uncertain future market accreditation for batteries at MISO, and tariff and inflation pressures — and said staff will issue a broader RFP to explore additional renewable, storage and contract-based options and present recommendations by the end of the year.
