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News
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FMPA
Launches Exploration of Solar Photovoltaic Electric Generation
Request for competitive proposals seeks a broad variety
of potential projects
ORLANDO,
Fla., Dec. 13, 2007 – Florida Municipal Power
Agency (FMPA) announced today it will explore the potential
use of solar photovoltaic technology to help meet its customers’
growing electricity needs in an environmentally responsible
manner.
FMPA
is a wholesale power agency owned by municipal electric utilities
in Florida. FMPA provides all the wholesale power needs of
15 cities, including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort
Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Town of Havana, Kissimmee, Jacksonville
Beach, Key West, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala, Starke
and Vero Beach.
Florida
is among the fastest growing states in the nation, and as
its communities grow, so does the need for electricity. FMPA’s
long-term power supply plan shows that member cities’
electricity needs are projected to increase almost 30 percent
by 2021. To meet these growing needs, while achieving Florida’s
environmental goals, FMPA must develop a balanced mix of power
resources that pairs proven technologies, like clean-burning
natural gas, with innovative renewable technologies like solar.
FMPA
issued a request on Dec. 5 seeking solar photovoltaic equipment
or a contract to purchase electricity generated with solar
technology. Solar photovoltaic technology converts energy
from light or solar radiation directly into electrical energy
using a solar cell. The request for proposals is a significant
first step towards exploring and, eventually, developing solar
generation to serve FMPA’s member communities.
FMPA’s
request is structured to attract the broadest possible range
of solar manufacturers and project developers. Bidders are
invited to submit proposals ranging from the supply of solar
photovoltaic equipment, to installation of a turn-key solar
project, to a power purchase contract for electricity generated
by solar photovoltaic technology.
“FMPA
members currently receive power from two renewable power sources.
This is our first foray into advanced solar technology,”
said Roger Fontes, FMPA’s General Manager and CEO. “At
this stage, we’re exploring the full range of alternatives
for bringing solar into our mix of generating resources.”
FMPA’s
request asks for proposals that could provide up to 100 megawatts
of electrical generation, installed over a period of five
years. FMPA would begin by installing 10 megawatts in the
first year, 2008, with additional capacity added in future
years. A copy of the request for proposals may be viewed online
at http://www.fmpa.com/html/news/rfp/rfp_2007-106.pdf.
Proposals are due in January 2008.
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Florida
Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company
owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies
of scale in power generation and related services to support
community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve
approximately 2 million Floridians. FMPA’s members are
Alachua, Bartow, Blountstown, Bushnell, Chattahoochee, Clewiston,
Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs,
Havana, Homestead, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee,
Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Moore Haven, Mount Dora, New
Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando, Quincy, St. Cloud,
Starke, Vero Beach, Wauchula and Williston.
Media
Contact:
Mark McCain
Assistant General Manager,
Public Relations and Human Resources
(407) 355-7767
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