PNM Issues RFP for Additional Power

PNM today issued a request for proposals, or RFP, for additional power resources that will be needed to meet expected customer peak demand in New Mexico within the next five years. The RFP is seeking a minimum of 21 megawatts to a maximum of 200 megawatts of quick-start, natural-gas generation to be available beginning in 2015. The new plant is needed within or near the communities PNM serves in northern New Mexico. “In 2010, PNM’s system peak demand was 1,973 megawatts,” said Patrick Themig, PNM vice president of generation. “PNM expects our peak demand to increase to 2,046 megawatts in 2016, even if customers install significantly more solar power systems and continue to participate in various PNM energy-efficiency programs. Without the addition of new generation resources and assuming moderate load growth, PNM’s generation capacity will be about 7 percent higher than the expected peak demand in 2016,” Themig said. “We are required by the state to have a 13 percent reserve margin. So, we will need to start planning now to add generation capacity that can start quickly to ensure reliable power to our customers.” The deadline for responding to the RFP is Dec. 22, 2011.

PNM Issues RFP for Additional Power