Seminole Electric issues RFP for clean energy

Tampa, Fla.-based Seminole Electric Cooperative announced today that it's seeking up to 250 megawatts of renewable energy to meet its member systems' growing demand and to diversify its resource portfolio.

Seminole said it's the wholesale power supplier for 10 electric distribution co-ops, serving an estimated 1.7 million individuals and businesses across Florida.

"Seminole is continuing to aggressively seek new sources of renewable energy to add to its existing renewable portfolio," said Trudy Novak, sr. director of bulk power and generation planning at Seminole.

The cooperative said it's seeking any type of renewable resource located in or planned for construction in Florida, including baseload resources designed for continuous operation, and intermediate-peaking type resources.

Seminole said the proposed facilities must be at least 1 MW in generating capacity.

The group is considering all renewable technologies including generation plants using wind, hydrogen, waste heat, geothermal, ocean energy, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, landfill gas, biomass, municipal solid waste, anaerobic digesters, and hydropower fuel sources.

Seminole said it currently has more than 100 MW of renewable capacity under contract, with the cooperative serving approximately two percent of its total energy requirements in 2007 with renewable resources.

To date, Seminole said it has found landfill gas, municipal solid waste, and other biomass resources to be the most cost effective renewable options.