MONTEREY, California, March 19, 2025: Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), a community choice aggregator (CCA) in CAISO, announces a request for proposals to meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and reliability goals. Through Ascend Analytics’ Power Procurement (APP) platform, 3CE aims to procure power purchase agreements (PPAs) with new or existing clean energy and storage projects. For most product categories, acceptable PPA start dates are no later than December 31, 2032, except for Bridge MTR Import contracts which must be no later than June 1, 2027.

3CE’s RFP seeks offers with a capacity of at least 20 MW from the following product categories:

1. Renewable Generation Only Contracts: RPS-eligible generation (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal). PPA tenor must be between 10 and 20 years. 3CE has a strong preference for projects in this category with an earlier delivery date.
2. Renewabe Generation Plus Storage Contracts: RPS-eligible generation paired with storage projects. The storge duration must be at least 4 hours, and the storage contact capacity cannot exceed 120% of the guaranteed generating capacity. PPA tenor must be between 10 and 20 years.
3. Standalone Storage Contracts: Standalone storage projects (e.g., lithium-ion battery storage, compressed air storage). The storage duration must be for at least 4 hours. PPA tenor must be beteen 10 and 20 years.
4. RA Only Contracts: RA Only projects from storage, thermals, or other qualifying resources. PPA tenor must be betwen 5 and 10 years.
5. PCC1 Index+ Contracts: RPS-eligible generation (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal) offered as a PCC1 Index+ contract. PPA tenior must be between 10 and 20 years.
6. Bridge MTR Import Contracts: RA resources eligible under CPUC Mid-Term Reliability Decision 21-06-035 that are classified as Imported Electricity from Unspecified Resources. Offers in this product category must provide bundled Energy and RA and have a PPA start date no later than June 01, 2027. PPA tenor must be between 1 and 3 years. 3CE has a strong preference for offers with an earlier delivery date.

Ascend Analytics, via Ascend Power Procurement, administers and organizes the RFP process on behalf of 3CE. Ascend will also support in evaluating all conforming bids using its Energy Analytics Platform, PowerSIMM.  

The RFP team will host an informational webinar for interested bidders on April 9^th, 2025, at 1pm PT. Submissions are due April 25^th, 2025, at 5pm PT. To participate, ask questions, and receive RFP updates and materials, prospects must register on the 3CE RFP Website.  

Timeline

About Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)

Central Coast Community Energy is a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) established in 2017, which formed under a joint powers’ agency and is subject to legislative and regulatory requirements imposed on load serving entities within California. 3CE serves over 436,000 customers in the Central Coast, including in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties.

About Ascend Analytics

Ascend Analytics is the leading provider of market intelligence and analytics solutions for the energy transition. The company's offerings enable decision makers in power supply, procurement, and investment markets to plan, operate, monetize, and manage risk across any energy asset portfolio. From realtime to 30-year horizons, their forecasts and insight are at the foundation of over $50 billioin in project financing assessments. Ascend provides energy market stakeholders with the clarity and confidence to successfully navigate the rapidly shifting energy landscape.

Media Contact:

media@ascendanalytics.com

Ascend Analytics is the leading provider of market intelligence and analytics solutions for the energy transition. The company’s offerings enable decision makers in power supply, procurement, and investment markets to plan, operate, monetize, and manage risk across any energy asset portfolio. From real-time to 30-year horizons, their forecasts and insights are at the foundation of over $50 billion in project financing assessments. Ascend provides energy market stakeholders with the clarity and confidence to successfully navigate the rapidly shifting energy landscape.