April 11, 2011
New Mexico

PNM seeks renewable energy proposals

New Mexico Business Weekly, bizjournals.com 11 April 2011New Mexico Business Weekly, bizjournals.com 11 April 2011

Public Service Co. of New Mexico has issued a request for proposals for renewable energy projects to help it meet its obligations under the state’s renewable portfolio standard.

New Mexico’s renewable standard calls for PNM and other utilities to obtain at least 10 percent of their retail energy from renewable sources starting this year. That jumps to 15 percent in 2015 and 20 percent in 2020.

The company is seeking multiple proposals for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biofuels to achieve a diversified energy portfolio, said PNM Integrated Resource Planning Director Cynthia Bothwell in a news release. That mix will help PNM meet the renewable standard’s diversification requirements, while improving the reliability of the utility’s electric system, the company said.

“PNM wants to evaluate all alternatives that may be available to meet the increasing renewable requirements,” Bothwell said. “Having a variety of renewable resources in the generation portfolio allows PNM to best capture the benefits of each resource and best operate the electric system when resources are intermittent.”

Along with new electric-generating installation, PNM is seeking biofuels to offset its dependence on natural gas at existing generation facilities. However, electricity generated from fossil fuels and nuclear power is excluded from the RFP.

PNM is requesting proposals for electric generation that can be available by 2014. Proposals must be received by June 10. A pre-bid conference is planned for April 18.

For more information about the RFP process, visit PNM’s website. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to RenewableRFP@pnmresources.com.

PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), based in Albuquerque.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/11/pnm-seeks-renewable-energy-proposals/