Seeking a “cutting edge” solution that will help shape Puerto Rico’s energy future, a local redevelopment authority has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a microgrid system at the 3,409-acre former Naval base on the island’s eastern flank.
The Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads (LRA) is requesting proposals to finance, develop, and manage a microgrid in the area contiguous to the municipalities of Ceiba and Naguabo. The authority, an arm of the storm-ravaged island’s Economic Development Agency, will oversee the property over the next 25 years.
The LRA predicts the microgrid system will eventually power an expected average 50,000 kVa energy demand when the property is fully occupied, with provision for a maximum 70,000 kVa load, consistent with its Roosevelt Roads Master Plan
Existing tenants, including a marina, school, law enforcement agencies, the US Army National Guard and Reserve, Department of Homeland Security and several commercial offices, currently have an aggregate demand load of approximately 1,500 kVa.
Respondents who submit proposals with higher percentages of renewable-based generation than provided for by Puerto Rico’s proposed microgrid rules will gain additional points for their bids, according to the RFP.
The microgrid proposals must also include emergency backup systems and disaster recovery or service continuity procedures in case of a system failure.
The Navy closed its Roosevelt Roads station in 2004. No generation resources exist on‐site; PREPA, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, currently supplies electricity via an aerial transmission line that connects to its Daguao substation in Ceiba. However, according to the RFP, the LRA microgrid system should be capable of operating independently from PREPA while meeting the property’s current and future energy demands.
The LRA will require both new and renewing tenants to contract with the microgrid developer for their electricity. Microgrid energy rates should cover its operation, maintenance, emergency repair reserves, obsolescence reserves, and debt service reserves.
The microgrid developer will also be required to furnish electricity for public and street lighting at no charge to the LRA. In addition, the RFP leaves open the possibility that the microgrid may engage in off‐system sales of energy or other grid services to entities other than PREPA.
Celtic Energy, a Connecticut-based energy consultant and project manager, is a lead consult to the LRA microgrid project.
A mandatory pre‐proposal conference and walk‐through of Roosevelt Roads will be conducted 10 a.m. AST, June 6.. The meeting will be held at Building 31, located at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
Proposals are due 4 p.m. AST, July 9.
Interested respondents may access the RFP and Exhibits through the following links: http://www.rooseveltroads.pr.gov/rfp/Pages/EnergyRFP.aspx
All exhibits, appendices, attachments, additional information, and any questions/answers received on this RFP will be posted on the LRA’s website
at www.rooseveltroads.pr.gov on the RFP’s/EnergyRFP Tab. Questions can be submitted via e‐mail only to [email protected]; no telephone inquiries will be accepted.
Track news about microgrid RFPs. Follow us on Twitter @MicrogridNews.
