PGE has issued a 2023 All-Source Request for Proposal – an important step in helping us acquire new clean energy resources and decarbonize Oregon’s power supply. The right mix of energy resources in the right locations can lower energy costs for our communities and ensure reliable power for customers.
Through this RFP, we are looking to procure renewable energy and non-emitting dispatchable resources to meet identified 2026 capacity and energy needs.
Please visit this page for relevant notices, common questions and their answers, documents related to the RFP process and to learn how to bid into the RFP.
To achieve our 2030 emissions reduction target while maintaining reliability, PGE plans to add a significant amount of clean energy resources to our portfolio. Brett Greene, Senior Director of Resource Acquisition, shares the types of resources PGE is pursuing and the role they play in our 2023 Clean Energy & Integrated Resource Plan. Learn more at portlandgeneral.com/resourceplanning.
2023 All-Source RFP final documents
Included below are PGE’s final documents for the 2023 All-Source RFP issued February 2, 2024.
2023 All-Source RFP Main Document
Appendix G: Renewable Resource and Storage Capacity Form PPA
Appendix S: Renewable Power and Storage Capacity Purchase Agreement Form Term Sheet
Appendix S: Renewable Power and Storage Capacity Purchase Agreement Form Term Sheet (MS Word)
Included below are redlines of the final issued term sheets and form contracts:
2023 All-Source RFP draft documents
Included below are PGE’s draft documents for the 2023 All-Source RFP as filed May 19, 2023 with the OPUC.
2023 All-Source RFP Main Document
Appendix G - Renewable Power and Storage Capacity Purchase Agreement Form
Bid Form Draft - This is the final bid form from the 2021 RFP. The 2023 bid form will likely be similar, but please do not use this file for 2023 RFP purposes.
ELCC Calculator
RFP Schedule
In partnership with OPUC Staff and Stakeholders, PGE has developed the following schedule. The RFP schedule is designed to make timely progress toward PGE’s capacity needs and HB 2021 compliance requirements and is subject to change based on regulatory timing. PGE will update the schedule to reflect any timing changes.
February 2, 2024 - PGE issues Final RFP.
February 13, 2024 - Post-issuance bidder conference.
Content: PGE RFP Team will provide an overview of the bidding requirements, evaluation timeline and bid submission process.
When: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. PST
February 16, 2024 – Notice of Intent to Bid due.
February 23, 2024 – Benchmark bids due.
April 5, 2024 — Third-Party Solar BTA/APA bids due.
April 30, 2024 — All remaining bids due.
June 10, 2024 - Initial shortlist identified.
June 24, 2024 - Best and final price update.
September 12, 2024 - PGE submits request for acknowledgement of FSL.*
Q4 2024/Q1 2025 – Final contracts executed with winning Bidders as applicable.*
*These dates are subject to change depending on the quantity and complexity of bids received and should circumstances require.
2024 workshops
RFP Post-Issuance Bidder Conference: Feb. 13, 2024
Please send all 2023 RFP related comments or questions to rfp@pgn.com with the Independent Evaluator copied at frank.mossburg@bateswhite.com. The Q&A will be posted anonymously below.
Do you have a redline of Exhibit M (Tech Specs) or a summary of key changes from the 2021 RFP to the 2023 RFP that can be shared with bidders?
We do not have a redline of Exhibit M (tech specs).
All technology tech specs were completely overhauled from both a substance and format perspective.
Here is a high level summary of key changes for each technical specification between the 2021 RFP to 2023 RFP.
Wind Facilities:
For 2023, the technical specifications for wind facilities were revised based on best practices developed from past RFP's, utility owned projects, and industry input. The specifications are based on a generic wind farm and cover balance-of-plant engineering, procurement, and construction scope activities for geotechnical services, civil works, wind turbine foundations, collection system, substation, gen-tie line, meteorological towers, operations and maintenance facilities, wind turbine erection, and general services. The document was streamlined from 2021 to aid in the review of the specifications while focusing on the key requirements for a wind facility.
In 2021, the technical specifications for a wind facility were broken up by the following classifications: M1-01 General, M1-02 Civil, M1-03 Mechanical, M1-04 Electrical, M1-05 Substation and Transmission, and M2 Wind. For 2023, any of the wind specific general, civil, mechanical, electrical, substation and transmission, and wind requirements were consolidated into one wind plant specification. During the consolidation, requirements were reviewed for their continued applicability, current utility requirements, and industry best practice. In addition, certain categories of requirements that spanned across all projects regardless of technology were kept as stand-alone specifications. These are the Engineering Documents, Drawings & Other Deliverables; Security and Compliance; PGE CAD and Numbering Standards; General Transformer Specification; and Communication, SCADA and Metering Facilities specifications. These five documents together with the Wind Plant Specifications make up the entirety of the technical specifications that apply to utility owned wind facilities.
Solar PV Facilities:
For 2023, the technical specifications for solar facilities were revised based on best practices developed from past RFP's, utility owned projects, and industry input. The specifications are based on a generic ground-mounted solar PV project and cover balance-of-system engineering, procurement, and construction scope activities for geotechnical services, civil works, foundations, collection system, substation, gen-tie line, weather stations, operations and maintenance facilities, permits, and site commissioning/turnover. The document was streamlined from 2021 to aid in the review of the specifications and focusing on the key requirements for a solar PV facility. In 2021, the technical specifications for a solar facility were broken up by the following classifications: M1-01 General, M1-02 Civil, M1-03 Mechanical, M1-04 Electrical, M1-05 Substation and Transmission, and M3 Solar. For 2023, any of the solar PV specific general, civil, mechanical, electrical, substation and transmission, and solar PV requirements were consolidated into one specification. During the consolidation, requirements were reviewed for their continued applicability, current utility requirements, and industry best practice. In addition, certain categories of requirements that spanned across all projects regardless of technology were kept as stand-alone specifications. These are the Engineering Documents, Drawings & Other Deliverables; Security and Compliance; PGE CAD and Numbering Standards; General Transformer Specification; and Communication, SCADA and Metering Facilities specifications. These five documents together with the Solar PV Plant Specifications make up the entirety of the technical specifications that apply to utility owned solar facilities.
Battery Energy Storage (BES) Facilities:
In 2021, the technical specifications for a BES facility were broken up by the following classifications: M1-01 General, M1-02 Civil, M1-03 Mechanical, M1-04 Electrical, M1-05 Substation and Transmission, and M4 Energy Storage.
For 2023, the technical specifications for battery energy storage facilities were revised based on best practices developed from past RFP's, utility owned projects, and industry input. Redundancies, commonalities, and aspects that did not apply between the Energy Storage specification in M4 and the other specifications from 2021 were identified and removed wherever possible to streamline the overall structure of the document. During the consolidation, requirements were reviewed for their continued applicability, current utility requirements, and industry best practice. In addition, certain categories of requirements that spanned across all projects regardless of technology and not already part of the Energy Storage specification were kept as stand-alone documents. These are the Engineering Documents, Drawings & Other Deliverables; Project Management and Controls; Security and Compliance; PGE CAD and Numbering Standards; General Civil Requirements; General Electrical Study Requirements; General Transformer Specification; Substation Design and Construction Specification; and Communication, SCADA and Metering Facilities Specifications. These nine documents together with the BES Specification make up the entirety of the technical specifications that apply to utility owned BES facilities.
Can the RFP Team describe how they plan to evaluate solar ownership bids from benchmark/affiliate and 3rd parties?
All solar ownership bids will be evaluated as traditional ownership (i.e., rate base) without normalization effects within the 2023 RFP.
Exactly what date will the “final shortlist” be determined?
In appendix N, Exhibit A it states that state permits (e.g., site certificate) are required by “final shortlist”. However, the RFP Schedule on page 6 of the 2023 All Source RFP-Draft does not specifically say the words “final shortlist” so no date is included there related to that milestone.
The intent is that permitting documentation noted as required by “final shortlist” will be due by the acknowledged final shortlist. We do not have a specific date for when that would be yet, but it would likely be in Q1 2024.
Will PGE’s RFP team evaluate off system storage as grid-charging capable and include incremental transmission costs related to such charging?
Yes, if a project proposes a co-located resource with battery storage, and there are no barriers from a technical/engineering or a commercial perspective to grid-charging the battery, the RFP team will evaluate the storage as grid-charging capable. There will be incremental transmission costs related to such charging.
Given the procedural delay of one month to UM 2274 and the chance for the OPUC to make substantive changes to the approved RFP through those steps, will the benchmark and third-party bid due date be extended by an equivalent duration?
PGE will be updating the 2023 RFP solicitation schedule as a result of the regulatory schedule changes. PGE fully expects that both the Benchmark and third-party bid due dates will change, and hopes to share this revised schedule in the next few weeks.
With the recent announcement from BPA regarding funding $2 billion in transmission upgrades, how will that be considered in the RFP design?
This announcement makes a public commitment to complete some important transmission upgrades that allow conditional firm service to bridge into long term firm service. Please clarify if this announcement impacts PGEs proposed RFP transmission requirements and will no longer disqualify any projects relying on those upgrades.
The announcement by BPA that they will examine acceleration of key regional transmission projects - while a welcome step to enable decarbonization in the region - does not impact PGE's proposed RFP transmission requirements. As BPA notes in their press release, the projects are subject to environmental review and additional process, and PGE notes that the timing of key projects such as the Ross-Rivergate Rebuild, Big Eddy to Chemawa Rebuild, and Chehalis-Cowlitz Tap rebuild are likely outside of the action plan window (with late 2027 as a best-case scenario). PGE continues to encourage projects that are uniquely situated and likely to be able to meet the CODs identified in this RFP to submit a narrative on their specific transmission situation for review.
For projects that propose reaching commercial operations in the Summer of a calendar year, will the RFP team evaluate costs and benefits of partial years or just full years following COD?
PGE's RFP Team will evaluate the cost and benefits of all project years as full years following COD.
Will PGE consider bids from bidders whose projects have not yet completed a System Impact Study or Facilities Study? Is the Facilities Study required for a bid to be considered for the final shortlist?
In the draft RFP documents, PGE requires that bids have a Facility Study Agreement to be considered for the final shortlist. If a bid is unable to satisfy this requirement then the bidder is invited to provide a narrative describing how the project will secure a Facilties Study to support the project's COD.
Regarding the generation output in Part 2 of the renewable resource generation tabs, when a bidder is bringing 80% of long-term transmission with the project, are there assumptions you want the bidder to make with regards to delivery of the remaining 20%?
In the bid form, please provide the expected output of the facility without adjusting for a projected transmission curtailment or unavailability. Instead, please ensure that you have provided the transmission product type and any supporting info requested in the bid form - PGE will use that information to determine how to model the expected delivery at the point of delivery.
Will the delay of the OPUC staff report (docket um 2274) cause: a delay to the release of the final RFP? An extension to RFP timelines?
We may need to adjust the schedule depending on the regulatory timeline. We anticipate a follow up regulatory filing no later than September 11 with proposed next steps on the regulatory schedule, and we may adjust the RFP issuance and review timelines if needed.
Can you please explain how generators between 10 MW and 20 MW follow the PGE interconnection instructions?
Please plan to follow our Large Generator Interconnection Process. Section 1.1.1 of our OATT advises that if a small generator is planning to use Network Resource Interconnection Service, the resource must follow the large generator interconnection process. Using Network Resource Interconnection Service is an interconnection requirement in this RFP.
Will the RFP scoring team consider adopting modeling assumptions around economic life of solar panels greater than 30 years if proposed?
The economic life considered for each technology is based on our depreciation study of electric property, which is filed with our regulators (most recently in Docket No. UM 2152). We are not open to consideration of longer depreciation periods.
How can I interpret how a Main Power Transformer (MPT) from an ABB Brazil factory would be viewed for a battery project? What about for a Solar project?
This a clarification question regarding the approved suppliers in the RFP Tech Specs.
The solar specs do not list specific factory locations Main Power Transformer Suppliers, however the wind and BESS specs do. Can you explain why this is the case? E.g., Hitachi ABB is listed as an approved Vendor for Substation MPT in the Solar specs however in the BESS and Wind Specs only the Canada, Missouri, Virginia, and Germany ABB shops are listed.
The approved substation main power transformer suppliers and their respective shops are intended to be the same across all project technology types. For any discrepancies, please refer to the shops listed in the BESS and Wind technical specifications. Any proposed deviations from the pre-approved suppliers list would require PGE approval.
We will update the solar tech specs to aligns with the BESS and wind specs.
On the RFP ELCC Calculator, for the solar plus storage resources with ratios of 1:1 and 2:1, are the ratios representative of solar:storage or storage:solar?
The ratios represent solar: storage.
On the RFP ELCC Calculator, for entering the nameplate size for a hybrid solar plus storage resource, should the MW size being entered represent the maximum output of the facility or the cumulative size of the resource?
Enter the nameplate of the solar component. Also, you can read more about hybrid resource modeling in this IRP roundtable.
Can you please confirm that bids, once selected on initial shortlist and requested to provide their best and final offer, are able to adjust their bid price either up or down?
Yes, this is correct.
What method will the RFP team be using to accept bids?
As described in our latest redline of the RFP Main Document, which was included with our reply comments on 12/21/23: Completed bid forms must be sent via email to rfp@pgn.com with the IE copied (Frank.Mossburg@bateswhite.com) once PGE notifies bidders that the bid window is open. After receiving completed bid forms, PGE will send bidders a link to an online submission form to upload supporting documentation for the respective bid forms.
What is meant by "PGE Contiguous"?
The Contiguous POD is a set of individual PODs sharing a common boundary service area that are aggregated and treated as a single POD in a Point-to-Point Transmission Service Request (TSR). PGE Contiguous is comprised of Bethel 230 kV, Keeler 230 kV, Forest Grove 115 kV, McLoughlin 230 kV, Pearl 230 kV and Rivergate 230 kV.
What are the changes to the technical specifications from the version issued on 4/14/2023 versus the final version issued on 12/15/2023?
Wind:
Minor language change to approved suppliers on protective relays. Identified by redlines.
Redline changes to M1-05-04 identified as redlines
Solar:
Conformed the approved suppliers list across all technologies. For solar, that’s M3-01-08 and is not redlined due to the number of changes.
Minor redlines from the April version identified in M1-05-04
Storage:
Multiple updates to the main spec, M4-01-01 identified as redlines and based on recent lessons learned from ongoing projects.
Minor changes to M1-02-01 based on lessons learned
Same updates to M1-05-04 as wind and solar
If bidders provide a narrative with the schedule for all permits and studies to be completed in the future, will PGE consider those bids for the initial shortlist?
PGE will allow Bidders to submit a narrative explanation if they are unable to meet the permitting matrix timeline included in this RFP. PGE views the permits and associated timelines as key to reducing risk and retains the discretion – to be discussed with the IE – to determine whether the explanation provided has sufficient merit to allow the bid to proceed.
In order to qualify for the initial shortlist, do bids need a complete system impact study? For the final shortlist, do bids need a completed facilities study. If bids cannot satisfy that requirement, can they provide a narrative?
Yes, bids must have a complete system impact study by the initial shortlist and a completed facilities study for the final shortlist. If a bid is unable to satisfy these requirement then the bidder is invited to provide a narrative describing how the project will secure a Facilities Study to support the project's COD.
Bids must have eligible transmission service and have an active OASIS TSR. 1. Does this apply to dispatchable resources directly interconnecting to PGE? 2. Can you confirm the TSR requirement? 3. Will PGE grant transmission rights through the RFP?
Bids that directly interconnect to PGE do not need an active OASIS TSR.
Bids relying on BPA for transmission service are required to have either: 1) previously granted eligible transmission service, or 2) an eligible and active OASIS status Transmission Service Request (TSR) participating in the 2022 or prior BPA TSR Study and Expansion Process. Bidders participating in the ongoing 2023 process may submit a narrative if they believe their project is uniquely situated to receive service that complies with the commercial online date and transmission product requirements of this RFP.
PGE is not making available any transmission rights in this solicitation.
Straw bid: 1. Is there a fee for a Straw Bid? 2. What are the security requirements? 3. Would a 2027 COD be possible on PGE-owned asset considering third party developers would not be in the interconnection queue yet?
There is no fee for a Straw Bid proposal.
Bidders wishing to address security concerns in their straw proposals should plan to articulate how they will reduce the threat associated with multi-entity operations. PGE recommends bidders consider proposing roving patrols around the asset, secured entry onto the property, detection and monitoring (such as thermal cameras and fence detection), and commitment to closely coordinate with both PGE security and local law enforcement.
The straw bid COD must align with the RFP requirement that projects must be online by the end of 2027.
Straw bid: What is meant by: “As noted in Commission order, there is no expectation of making either the initial or final shortlist.”
Straw bids are hypothetical proposals and there is no requirement that PGE procure these bids.
Straw bid: We found a page online detailing the Carty Generating Station. Is the Straw Bid expected to be a 50 MW solar site? Is PGE interested in BESS as well? If yes, is there a desired ratio (1:1)?
The only requirement is that the project conform with the minimum bidder requirements expected of all bids. PGE does not have an expressed desired ratio of BESS to generation nameplate.
Is there information available on the nominal, PGE-self bid usage of the assets?
Appendix P contains all information pertaining to Benchmark bid details.
What types of bid structures do the Long-term service agreement (LTSA) costs in Appendix P apply to?
The LTSA costs provided in Appendix P relate to utility owned projects. The cost information is a data point for the IE when evaluating LTSA costs received from bidders in the 2023 RFP.
Could you please confirm whether the bid form is intended to accommodate details specific to a single bid variant per form?
Each bid form is intended to accommodate a single bid variant. The bid form contains multiple tabs and fields for multiple renewable, hybrid storage, and storage resources, however this is intended for input flexibility in support of a single bid variant.
For an APA submission by a non-investment grade respondent, can the bidder provide a Letter of Credit? If so what is the required LoC amount and the conditions for PGE drawing on the LoC? What are the conditions for the LoC being released?
A non-investment grade bidder can provide a LoC, if issued from a qualified institution. Any PGE draw would result from the Bidder’s non-performance, which would be defined in the APA form contract (to be negotiated).
How will PGE evaluate the domestic content adder for utility owned structures?
Due to the current uncertainty around claiming the domestic content adder for the PTC and ITC, we will not give any value for it in evaluation for utility owned structure bids.
Will bid forms be further editable after you receive them initially?
Yes, you can send an updated version of a previously sent bid form as long as its in by the submission deadline.
Straw bid: For the Grassland sub, the Grassland to Slatt 500 kV transmission or the Slatt substation which are collectively noted as serving the existing facility, what is the amount of available capacity?
The path connecting at Grassland to SLATT has not yet been studied for a total transfer capability (TTC). However, the path was originally constructed and operated with both Carty and Boardman online. Therefore, we can assume that the path should be able to function with generation equivalent to the previous Boardman capacity of approximately 500MWs in addition to Carty's current capacity. Until studies are conducted, the actual TTC for that path remains unknown.
Straw bid: Who is responsible for obtaining transmission rights from Slatt to PGE Load?
No BPA transmission is being made available by PGE in this RFP. We expect bidders to provide a plan/narrative of delivering the energy to PGE’s accepted points of delivery (as noted in Appendix N).