WMECo Begins Procurement for Solar Energy Facilities

Vendor qualification under way for largest solar program in New England

• Press Release
• Source: Western Massachusetts Electric Company
• On 3:22 pm EDT, Tuesday September 22, 2009

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) today began a multi-phase procurement process for construction of its large-scale solar energy facilities - the first of its kind in New England. Up to six megawatts (MW) of solar facilities will be built - enough to power 6,000 homes.

WMECo plans to install up to 3 MW of photovoltaic (PV) facilities during 2010 and will begin its solicitation of potential sites in the coming weeks.

WMECo today issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to over 100 prospective vendors who may be participating in the initial phase of the program. The RFQ requires these vendors to demonstrate financial stability, a strong safety record and their experience with large-scale solar energy projects.

Using the results of this RFQ, WMECo expects to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the 4(th) Quarter for turnkey projects and award contracts later this year to begin construction in early 2010.

WMECo plans to select large, underutilized sites that are capable of hosting PV systems approximately 1 MW or larger, in the first phase of development. While many of the Commonwealth's existing PV systems are between 5 kW and 100 kW, these larger sites offer economies of scale that will lower installation costs and stimulate a new segment of the market. A 1 MW system (1000 kW) requires approximately four acres (ground mounted) or 100,000 square feet (roof mounted) of unobstructed space.

The Massachusetts Green Communities Act allows electric utilities to own up to 50 MW of solar facilities, subject to approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU). WMECo received its approval for 6 MW from the DPU in August - the first of its type in Massachusetts and in New England.

Western Massachusetts Electric Company, part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU - News), serves approximately 200,000 customers in 59 communities throughout western Massachusetts and is committed to the environment, economic development and the health of the communities it serves. For more information about WMECo, visit their Web site at www.wmeco.com.

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