RFP Documents

Generation Interconnections

Relevant questions and responses related to the CORE Electric Cooperative 2026 Request for Proposals for Utility-Scale Renewable/Zero-Carbon Generation and Energy Storage will be posted on this page. 

Yes, as long as they are relevant to the RFP.

Responses to questions will be provided as soon as practical. Response times will vary depending upon the complexity of the question.

The minimum contract must be five years. CORE is willing to consider contracts extending beyond 20 years, but they must align with the typical life of the proposed asset.

Only energy projects with associated capacity and, if applicable, rights to ancillary services will be considered.

CORE prefers a 24×7 delivery schedule.

Yes, interconnection within SPP West 1 is acceptable, provided the proposal demonstrates a viable delivery path and includes a firm transmission and service strategy.

CORE is open to start dates as early as 2027 but no later than 2035. The end date will depend upon the proposed term of the agreement.

CORE will only consider stated-rate contracts, either fixed or with a contractually defined initial rate plus escalator.

There is not a specific requirement, but the proposal must specify what level of transmission service is anticipated/available and how this will be delivered to CORE’s system. Firmness of delivery will remain a criterion for the evaluation.

At this stage of the RFP process, CORE is not providing a term sheet, pro forma PPA, or pro forma tolling agreement. Respondents should submit their proposals using the required RFP appendices and identify any notable contractual or risk considerations as requested in the RFP. Following proposal evaluation, CORE may invite selected respondents to participate in bilateral discussions, at which time definitive agreement terms will be negotiated.

Yes. For projects that are not directly interconnected to CORE’s transmission system, bidders should include all anticipated transmission, wheeling, and other deliverability costs necessary to deliver energy and capacity to CORE’s load in their Phase 1 proposal, though these costs should be identified separately from other costs. Respondents should also clearly identify the proposed interconnection point, queue position, study status, known transmission constraints, expected upgrade scope and cost responsibility, and the proposed transmission/service and congestion management strategy.

CORE may have limited flexibility regarding the maximum project capacity limits identified in Section 3.2 of the RFP. While CORE will make the final determination during the evaluation process, proposals that materially exceed the published maximum capacity requirements are not expected to be considered.

Regarding the binding window, all prices submitted during Phase I or Phase II are considered indicative. The bid validity period is intended to cover contract negotiations with the selected respondent(s), and its terms would be subject to negotiation between CORE and the selected bidder(s) at the outset of those negotiations. If a proposal advances to Phase II, bidders will have the opportunity to update pricing, project location, interconnection status, transmission assumptions, and other relevant information as project details are refined.

The Phase I submission is intended to provide CORE with sufficient information to evaluate and shortlist proposals. Only shortlisted projects will advance to Phase II. During Phase II, bidders will have the opportunity to update pricing, project location, interconnection status, transmission assumptions, and other relevant information as project details are refined. Any final pricing and commercial terms will be negotiated between CORE and the selected bidder(s) during the contract negotiation process, particularly if material changes have occurred that affect project economics.

CORE is willing to consider energy resource interconnection service (ERIS) interconnection, but interconnection firmness may be a factor in bid evaluation and selection, with preference for network resource interconnection service (NRIS).

Respondents are expected to provide pricing that reflects their anticipated costs and assumptions. Participants are welcome to include development and/or PPA security with their proposals for consideration. Any development and/or PPA security requirements will be discussed and finalized during contract negotiations with selected respondents.

As stated in the RFP, Standalone BESS must be on-system (directly connected to CORE’s system). Hybrid resources may be considered if off-system.

At this time, a separate transmission service request would be required.

An interim wheeling/transmission service request (TSR) arrangement would be acceptable.

CORE resides within the PSCo Balancing Authority (BA) and operates under the PSCo Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT).

CORE will not provide an indicative price range for Phase I evaluation.

Credit support expectations will be assessed independently of project location, but bid pricing should include necessary transmission costs.

Respondents should expect to receive credit support requirements after Phase I selection.

The CORE Transmission Interconnection Map is provided as an informative illustrative reference of CORE’s transmission, sub-transmission, and substations for respondents and is not intended to make any binding or legal representations thereof. CORE nor the RFP Administrator make any guarantees as to the accuracy of the map at the time the RFP is issued. CORE will consider projects that interconnect directly with CORE’s transmission system, interconnect within SPP West, or interconnect with PSCO and demonstrate identified deliverability to CORE’s load. The only stated interconnection limitation applies to projects interconnecting along the transmission path between the Smoky Hill and Brick Center substations, including projects interconnecting at CORE’s 115 kV bus at Brick Center. Projects located along this transmission path may receive lower evaluation priority due to the potential for significant system upgrades.

CORE is interested in distribution-level projects within the CORE system; however, some substations at the distribution voltage level may not be able to support BESS interconnection due to equipment limitations or anticipated distribution needs.

CORE may be willing to enter into a lease agreement (only) for the duration of the project contract. Consideration of a lease agreement would be contingent upon successful negotiation of the BESS/renewable generation contract with CORE. In general, the project owner would be responsible for all required site improvements, removal of project/assets at the end of the contract, and possibly other unforeseen costs.

An active queue position is not required for proposal submission; however, interconnection requests submitted solely to reserve a queue position or speculate on future development opportunities may be disqualified from consideration under this RFP. 

Yes, please see the answer above.