PLENTY OF SPACE AND SUNSHINE:

Representatives of the energy industry visited Fort Irwin to look at a proposed site for the construction of a photovoltaic system that would harness solar energy, June 13. The prospective contractors for the project met with representatives from Fort Irwin, Defense Logistics Agency Energy and the Army’s Energy Initiatives Task Force to discuss a recently released Request for Proposals on the renewable energy project. “The primary purpose of today’s event is to answer any questions interested members of the renewable energy industry may have regarding this RFP and to take prospective bidders out to the proposed site for the project,” said Alan King, director of project execution for EITF. The RFP outlines a Fort Irwin requirement to procure renewable energy through a Power Purchase Agreement for up to 25 years. The selected contractor will finance, design, build, operate, own and maintain the PV system. Under the PPA, the Army will only purchase the energy that is produced; no generation assets will be acquired.