first published week of: 10/03/2016
The solar panels at Redstone Energy Group's solar demonstration center near the corner of South Memorial Parkway and Airport Road Sunday, July 29, 2012 in Huntsville, AL (The Huntsville Times/Eric Schultz)
Alabama Power Company posted a request for proposals this week for renewable energy projects that could bring additional solar, wind, geothermal or other kinds of renewable energy to Alabama.
Alabama's largest utility has announced more than 90 megawatts of solar power projects since late last year, and John Kelley, Alabama Power's director of forecasting and resource planning, said the company wanted to weigh its options for additional renewable energy projects in the future.
Alabama Power supports renewable energy, where it makes sense for our customers. Renewable markets change a lot, and this proposal gives us a chance to see what may be out there in the 2017 and 2018 time frame. John Kelley, Alabama Power's director of forecasting and resource planning
"Alabama Power supports renewable energy, where it makes sense for our customers," Kelley said in a news release announcing the RFP. "Renewable markets change a lot, and this proposal gives us a chance to see what may be out there in the 2017 and 2018 time frame."
Last year the utility received approval from the Alabama Public Service Commission to develop up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy projects, and has since moved forward with a handful of those, including solar power installations at Anniston Army Depot and Fort Rucker and a 72 megawatt solar farm in Chambers County developed with Walmart.
Those projects were planned with specific customers in mind, to meet the customers' renewable energy goals. continued…