Tri-State begins process for securing new resources for its members, focused on renewables, storage and dispatchable resources 

• Tri-State issues three separate “request for proposals” (RFPs) for approximately 1,500 megawatts of new generation and storage through 2031. 

• RFP process marks the beginning of Phase II of Tri-State’s 2023 Electric Resource Plan, as regulators accept unopposed, comprehensive Phase I settlement earlier this week. 

• Final approval of Phase II of the resource plan, including the selected portfolio of new resources, is expected in July 2025. 

(September 13, 2024 – Westminster, Colo.) – In its mission to provide its member systems with a reliable, affordable and responsible supply of electricity, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association today released three separate requests for proposals (RFPs) for approximately 1,500 megawatts of new generation and storage resources, to be added through 2031, as part of Phase II of its 2023 Electric Resource Plan (ERP) before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CoPUC). The solicitation follows final acceptance of an unopposed, comprehensive settlement of Phase I of Tri-State’s ERP on Thursday, based on recommended approval by an administrative law judge last month. 

The three RFPs include renewables, both wind and solar, or renewables paired with battery storage; standalone short- or long-term battery storage resources; and natural gas-fired generation or geothermal resources. Tri-State, a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, noted that the acquisition of these resources will lead to an 89% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado, to 70% clean energy use by its members systemwide in 2030, and meet heightened “Level 2” reliability metrics for meeting member needs during potential extreme summer and winter weather.   

“Tri-State eagerly anticipates a robust and successful bidding process, as we continue our energy transition and acquire additional generating resources to the benefit of our members,” said Duane Highley, chief executive officer of Tri-State. “We look forward to working with our members, numerous stakeholders and industry developers as we evaluate and acquire these additional resources, and we are thankful for their continuing engagement and support of our resource planning and acquisition process.” 

Tri-State intends to close the bidding process in late October, and will complete bid evaluations and advance selected bids to modeling by mid-December. Bids will be evaluated through a screening process and portfolio modeling, approved by the CoPUC, and Tri-State subsequently will file its ERP Implementation Report within 120 days of the bids being selected for modeling, with an analysis of up to 10 portfolios, including Tri-State’s preferred portfolio of bids. The CoPUC is expected to review and issue a decision on the resource acquisitions in July 2025.  

Tri-State is providing further details on its three requests for proposals on its website. The recommended decision by a CoPUC administrative law judge was announced Aug. 22.

About Tri-State 

Tri-State is a power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, serving electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. Visit www.tristate.coop.       

Contact: 

Lee Boughey, 303-254-3555, lboughey@tristategt.org 
Mark Stutz, 303-254-3183, mstutz@tristategt.org 

Certain information contained in this press statement are forward-looking statements including statements concerning Tri-State’s plans, future events, and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described from time to time in Tri-State’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tri-State’s expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith, and Tri-State believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, Tri-State cannot assure you that management’s expectations and beliefs will be achieved. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.