The city of Columbia’s transition to renewable energy at its electric utility suffered a major blow at the end of June when developers of a 581-acre solar field north of the city informed the utilities department that it was terminating its agreement with the city because forecasted costs have come in higher than expected.
In January 2019 the city council authorized a 20-year agreement with Colorado-based energy developer Dakota Power Partners to build the new solar plant by the end of 2023. The plant would have a maximum output of 64 megawatts and the city would pay $31.65 per megawatt hour, or about $4.5 million annually, with no escalation in price for the life of the contract. The city spends about $80 million annually for power supply.
The energy generated by the solar field was projected to meet about 11% of the city’s electric load and is the equivalent of about 26 wind turbines. It would have been connected directly to the city’s electric grid at its Bolstad substation.
Attempts to reach Dakota Power Partners for an update on the project have been unsuccessful. Dakota Power Partners was awarded the contract after winning a city request for proposal (RFP) with the lowest price per megawatt hour.
The city council is scheduled to review the utility department’s 2022 Renewable Energy Plan at its July 18 regular meeting. In 2021, 14.63% of Columbia’s electric portfolio came from renewable sources, just short of a 15% goal set by a 2014 city ordinance. The ordinance sets goals of 25% by the end of 2022, 30% by the end of 2028 and 100% by 2050.
In May, the city council was presented with a petition of more than 3,000 signatures and 53 letters requesting the council move up its date to be using 100% renewable energy to 2030.
Members of the city’s Water and Light Advisory Board members were informed of the terminated contract by Utilities Director David Sorrell during their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday. The only comment from stunned board members was a “Wow” from board member David Switzer.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Real Name Only. You must be a registered user with
your full name to comment.
(2) comments
I bet this will all blow over! :-)
I wager this is all over the major local news.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Real Name Only. You must be a registered user with your full name to comment.