Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is seeking information about forest biomass generation systems that could generate power for customers while improving the health of Arizona forests.
On June 29, TEP issued a request for information (RFI) about technologies, costs, environmental benefits, construction requirements and interconnection requirements of forest biomass energy projects. Information collected during this RFI process will be used to help determine the feasibility of using forest feedstocks as a renewable resource in Arizona.
Biomass power plants use the heat produced from the combustion of biological materials to generate electricity. Biomass fuels may include forest residues, crop residues, primary and secondary mill residues and urban wood waste. TEP will coordinate with other Arizona utilities, as appropriate, to consider joint efforts to develop a forest biomass energy project.
TEP anticipates filing a forest biomass proposal with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in 2019. The RFI process is being managed by New Hampshire-based Accion Group. A copy of the RFI can be found at tepbiorfi.accionpower.com.
TEP is working to deliver at least 30 percent of its power from renewable resources by 2030, doubling the state's 2025 goal. Nearly 13 percent of TEP's power came from solar, wind and other renewable resources last year, well above Arizona's seven-percent requirement for 2017.
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to approximately 424,000 customers in Southern Arizona.
For more information, visit tep.com.
TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are owned by Fortis Inc., which owns utilities that serve more than 3 million customers in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
For more information, visit fortisinc.com.
