Austin Energy FM 812 Landfill Solar RFP

Austin Energy is seeking cost-effective proposals for the development, engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), commissioning, maintenance, and warranty of a utility-scale solar photovoltaic system at the City of Austin FM 812 Landfill. The closed landfill site has approximately 58 acres of usable surface area. The project targets 5-8 MW of useable AC power at the point of interconnection, with a 25-year system design life. Austin Energy intends to use this facility to expand its community solar program to offset utility bills for residents regardless of ownership or roof suitability.

Key project requirements include delivery of a complete turnkey utility-scale solar system consisting of ballasted PV racking, solar panels, inverters, balance-of-system components, MV transformers, switchgear, fire/smoke detection systems, access roads, and an Energy Management System (EMS) capable of interfacing with Austin Energy's Generation Management System via ICCP interface. The system must support remote dispatch with ability to receive active and reactive power commands from utility SCADA and follow base point instructions. Successful bidders must perform both Austin Energy and ERCOT interconnection studies.

The RFP schedule includes a questions deadline of November 4, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. CT, final Q&A responses by November 13, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. CT, and proposal submission deadline of November 21, 2025 by 3:00 p.m. CT. Shortlisted notifications are expected December 3, 2025, with site visit scheduled for a week to be determined. The landfill lease cost is $120 per acre per year.

Proposals must address landfill-specific design and construction constraints including active landfill gas and leachate collection systems, final cover system integrity, and compliance with TCEQ regulations for land use over closed municipal solid waste landfills. The project design must maintain 15-foot clearance around gas collection infrastructure and 15-foot vehicle access right-of-way above gas distribution pipelines. A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will be negotiated with terms of at least 10 years up to a maximum of 25 years, with point of delivery at the applicable resource interconnection point into ERCOT. Austin Energy will provide Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) services and handle all ERCOT settlement, ensuring the utility does not pay for energy during negatively priced settlement intervals.