All-Source Carbon-Free Energy Resources and Energy Storage

The City of Pasadena (“Pasadena” or “City”) Department of Water and Power (“PWP”) is issuing a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for carbon-free energy resources and/or carbon-free energy storage resources (“Proposed Project”).

In 2023, the Pasadena City Council adopted Resolution No. 9977, declaring a climate emergency and committing to source 100% of the city’s electricity from carbon-free resources by the end of 2030. This bold initiative positions Pasadena as a leader in climate action, surpassing state mandates and most voluntary targets set by other utilities and corporations.

To meet the Resolution No. 9977 goal and to fulfill energy procurement requirements of 100% carbon-free supply, the Proposed Project must align with the California Renewable Energy Resources Program (Public Utilities Code, or PUC §§ 25740 et seq.) and the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (PUC §§ 399.11 et seq.). This RFP supports both Pasadena’s 100% carbon-free goal under Resolution No. 9977 and compliance with California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (“CA RPS”) as outlined in PUC § 399.30.

PWP seeks Proposed Projects with commercial operation or delivery start dates on or before December 31, 2030 (but could consider later dates if offered), and with a delivery period ("contract term") of 10 years or longer.

Pasadena Water and Power ("PWP")

Pasadena has operated its Water and Power Department since the early 20 ^th century, delivering approximately 1.1 million megawatt hours (“MWh”) of energy annually to 65,000 customers. PWP's diverse energy portfolio includes gas-fired, hydro power, nuclear, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, and landfill gas resources. PWP owns gas-fired units at the Glenarm Power Plant and shares in the gas-fired Magnolia Power Project, the Hoover Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, and the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. PWP also holds shares of the coal-fired Intermountain Power Project (“IPP”), which transitioned to natural gas in 2025 and will terminate (for PWP) in mid-2027, and has various contracts for renewable resources.

PWP holds ownership and contract rights on multiple transmission lines, which were transferred to the California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”) in 2004 when Pasadena became a Participating Transmission Owner (“PTO”). As a Scheduling Coordinator and Load Serving Entity within the CAISO Balancing Authority Area, PWP manages a peak load of approximately 330 megawatts (“MW”) and can import up to 280 megawatts ("MW") of power through its T.M. Goodrich Receiving Station. The Pasadena City Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to transitioning to carbon-free and renewable energy, adopting a Climate Action Plan and setting a goal to source 100% of electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030, as outlined in PWP's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan.