Santee Cooper Begins New Solar Power Solicitation
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. –Santee Cooper is taking the first step in a process to ultimately add 2,150 megawatts in new solar power between 2026 and 2033, part of the utility’s transition to a greener and more modern energy portfolio that continues to reliably and affordably meet customer needs and significantly reduces its emissions.
The utility issued today a 90-day notice to approximately 400 solar developers of its planned 2024 Solar Request for Proposals, focused on solar capacity Santee Cooper seeks to bring online from 2026 to 2028. The utility’s Integrated Resource Plan anticipates adding up to 300 MW in each of those years, subject to pricing, developer interest and other market conditions.
“Adding more renewable solar power to our system is a logical next step as we consider how best to meet growing customer demand while also closing coal-fired generating units in the coming years,” said Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper President and CEO. “We plan to support and backstand that solar power with new natural gas generation, which is a cleaner and more flexible resource that can follow the on-again, off-again nature of solar power and maintain reliable electric service to our customers.”
Central Electric Power Cooperative, Santee Cooper’s largest wholesale customer and the power portfolio manager for the state’s 19 electric cooperatives, is involved in planning the solicitation and reviewing results and may participate in contracting for any power procured through the RFP process.
“Meeting our state’s growing demand for electricity will require an all-of-the-above energy mix, and solar energy is a valuable part of that mix,” said Rob Hochstetler, Central’s CEO and President. “The electric cooperatives’ collaboration with Santee Cooper on this project is a win-win, helping to ensure the reliability of South Carolina’s power grid while also reducing carbon emissions from the energy industry.”
Santee Cooper anticipates issuing the RFP on June 10, 2024. The process will be competitive and open to all independent market participants that meet minimum eligibility requirements.
The Energy Authority will administer the 2024 Solar RFP for Santee Cooper. As an initial step, potential participants will be required to create an account on the TEA website (https://rfpmarketplace.teainc.org).
